AGY-1918 | Returned Soldiers and Sailors Employment Board

Full description

The Returned Soldiers and Sailors Employment Board was first constituted on 30 April 1935 (1), with the appointment a Board according to the provisions of the Returned Soldiers and Sailors Employment Act, 1919. The Act provided for returned soldiers and sailors to be given preference in employment, and reinstatement in employment, and for the appointment of a board to assist them in obtaining employment and in other ways.(2)

The Board was to consist of five members, at least three of whom were returned soldiers or sailors (3), with the power to require any government or local authority to furnish relevant information relating to the labour market as it may affect returned soldiers and sailors (4), and the power to prosecute any offences under the Act.(5)

The Board could also grant temporary financial assistance to returned soldiers and sailors unable to obtain employment, from funds appropriated by Parliament for the purpose.(6)

The Returned Soldiers and Sailors Employment Board was dissolved in 1945 when the Commonwealth assumed responsibility for the re-employment and rehabilitation of returned service personnel. This was done via the Commonwealth Re-establishment and Employment Act 1945 (Act No 11, 1945) assented to 28 June, 1945.(7,8)

Endnotes
1.NSW Government Gazette, 30 April 1935, p.1822.
2.Returned Soldiers and Sailors Act, 1919 (Act No 38, 1919).
3.ibid, s.6(1).
4.ibid, s.7(2).
5.ibid, s.7(3).
6.ibid, s.15.
7.Concise Guide to the State Archives of NSW, Fiche 19, p.44.
8.Re-establishment and Employment Act (Commonwealth) 1945 (Act No 11, 1945).