By: Alexia22nd Mar 2025 11:02AMTranscription of text: Unemployed Soldier

“Digger A. Thomas writes to say that he spent a very miserable sort of Christmas, far more miserable than any of the five he put in when on active service. This is a nasty reflection upon those supposed to be looking after the welfare of returned men, for it is safe to say there are many Diggers equally as badly up against it as Digger Thomas. We certainly think the State Government should have done something to make the Diggers and their dependents have some sort of a happy Christmas. The Federal Government seem to forget that there has been a war on. No doubt Premier Peake will tell us that his treasury is not bulging with spare cash, but surely to goodness he could have strained a point and held out a helping hand to men who have done and dared, and who are not just now rolling in wealth. But listen to Digger Thomas’ grouse: - “There are hundreds of us returned men wanting to work, but unable to procure it. At Pore Adelaide about two hundred returned men are looking for work. What was the cry of the State when the war was on? They were going to do everything for us when we returned, but, alas! It is only history repeating itself. Having done the fighting you are wanted no more. The way the State has forgotten the boys who were lucky enough to come through and get back home again is a disgrace. We do not ask for charity, we want work, but we are denied the right to earn a living. It is Christmastide, when we all look forward to giving our children a happytime; but many of the returned men cannot do so, because they are out of employment. I put five Christmases in the A.I.F., but I never thought that I would put such a Christmas as this one was in South Australia. It is high time for the Government to wake up and see that the Diggers get employment.”