MANY REMITS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 289, 4 September 1942, Page 3

MANY REMITS

N.Z. War Amputees’ Association

Many remits were carried at the third annual conference of delegates of the New Zealand War Amputees’ Assoeia% tion in Wellington yesterday. Among them were the following:— ’’That amputees be granted a special licence for motor spirit so long as some is available for private ear users.” ‘‘That extra clothing coupons be granted to amputees.”

“That this conference views with concern the intimations from time to time that the Soldiers’ Civil Re-establishment League is interesting itself in the future manufacture of artificial limbs. As the manufacture aud fitting of these appliances is a highly skilled and seieulific process the result of which can make or mar the whole future of the unfortunate wearer, we view with grave concern any interference in this problem without consulting with the amputee associations concerned by people or bodies having no special qualification entitling them to take over the control of this work so closely allied to the medical profession.” “That it is tile considered opinion of this conference that the system of payment of economic pensions introduced as a palliative in 1923 is a pernicious one resulting in destroying the initiative and industry of soldiers partially disabled and should be discontinued in favour of an increased disability pension enabling the disabled soldier to enjoy a reasonable standard of comfort and an incentive to use his remaining earning'power rather than to destroy it by induced idleness.” « “That, having regard to ilie assurance given by the Minister of Manpower to the Wellington War Amputees' Association that assistance and advice by war amputees in rehabilitation matters would be welcomed, this conference views with concern thill in the formation ol the Rehabilitation Council no representative of the War Amputees' Association was included. In view of the assurance given by Ihe Minister mid the wealth of expert knowledge obtainable from the war amputees, provision lie immediately made for the inclusion of a war amputees' representative on the Keliabilitation Council." ‘That in the formation of rehabilitation'commit tees in the four main centres which will work in conjunction with the Rehabilitation Council, this conference requests that a war amputee representative be appointed to sueli committee in the four main centres.’’ “That this conference registers its protest nt Second N.Z.E.F. amputees resident in Otago mid Southland having to proceed to Wellington for the initial lilting of artificial limbs, and requests the ■War Pensions Department to arrange for the supply ami tilting of artificial limbs to these amputees at the local factory. As Wellington titters are not more , expert: than others, the present arrangement is irksome to the new amputee.”