LIMBLESS MEN

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 194, 12 May 1919, Page 4

LIMBLESS MEN

IMPROVEMENT AT FACTORY. The monthly meeting of members of tho Returned Soldiers' Association, who have lost limbs was held in the club room on Friday, Mr. J. , D. Harper,, chairman of the association, presiding: There were about' thirty men present, and Mr. C. Batten (District Repatriation Officer) and Mr. D. J. Seymour (general secretary of the N.Z.R.S.A.) also attended. The disabilities suffered by limbless men and their prospects of obtaining suitable occupations were fully discussed, and a committee, consisting ot Messrs. C. M'Kenzie, Payne, Irwin, Weir, Adams, and Johnson was sot up to collect information for the use of the. association.

The meeting generally agreed that a big improvement had taken place in the repairing and making of limbs at the factory, and the men were satisfied that ii genuine attempt was now beiug made to cater for their needs. It was recognised that it would be some time before the arrears could be overtaken, a.nd dissatisfaction was expressed regarding- tho delny which hud taken place in establishiiiS the limb factory o,n a proper basis. Speakers stated that tho limbs now being turned out compared more than favourably with the artificial limbs which had been supplied them abroad. Travelling accommodation provided them whilst proceeding to tho limb factory or hospitols did not, however, meet with the approval of those present, and it was decided that the association be asked to press for first-class accommodation for all limbless men whilst travelling. It was pointed out Unit actual danger as well as discomfort resulted through having to climb steep 6tairwnys in the steerago aboard ship. One speaker stated that first-class accommodation could be obtained by a man by "pushing his barrow," but the meeting- considered that such a course should bo unnecessary, and that first-class accommodation should be provided as a right. The discussion took placo on the suitability of different forms of farming a.l an occupation for disabled men. The committeo was instructed to obtain information re bee-farming and poultryraising for the next meeting. Matters concerning pensions were dealt with by Mr. Harper, who is a member of the Pensions Board, and Mr. Batten explained the provisions of tho Repatriation Act dealing with the training of disabled men.