LIMBLESS SOLDIERS

Evening Star, Issue 19663, 16 September 1927, Page 8

LIMBLESS SOLDIERS

NEARLY 803 IH HEW SOUTH WALES SOME URGENT NEEDS. “To most of our men employment means more than money,” was a remark made by tho general secretary of the Limbless Soldiers’ Association (Mr 0. Boyers), at Sydney. Several members who were present when this remark was mado said “ Hear, tear.” “There was a chap in hero”—it was a one-legged hero protesting —“ who said to us, ‘Why, you’ve got your pension!’ I asked him if he’d like to lose a log for thirty-five bob a week.” “Try ’ im,” commented another member as bo stumped out of tho room. The Limbless Soldiers’ Association is trying to raise money for its provident fund —a fund inaugurated to help the chi ago of incapacitated men when they are no longer able to supplement their pensions by taking on such jobs as are now available. There is another objective they have in mind, and are keen about. This is the provision of a clubhouse, with a bailor frontage, where swimming will be cue of the chief recreations. In most cases the limbless man is shy of going to a public bath, where his infirmity is conspicunis. A number of charitably-disposed lad ; es are helping tho association by means of bridge parties, teas, and other fixture... Jn this kindly enterprise many of tho leaders of society aro co-openting. The amount to credit of the provident fund now totals £13,000. But tho incapacitated men on the books of the association number 1,100. If the majority of these are to benefit when past work, tho fund will have _to bo largely augmented. The aim is to bring it up to £50,000. When that sura is in sight, the clubhouse, that will mean so much to disabled ox-soldiers, will bo realised. HOW EMPLOYERS CAN HELP.

Meantime, as the general secretary points out, there is the chance for firms and private individuals to help by giving employment. At least ono largo firm m tho city will employ in its lifts none but ex-servico men who havo lost a limb. The example is a shining ono. The disabled men for whom assistance is being asked, all of them members of tho association, include tho following: Members with leg amputated, 560; both legs amputated, 64; ono arm amputated, 250; cases of paralysis, 12; other disabilities, 200. An amazing cheerfulness is _ shown _by thoso war-maimed heroes,_ practically without exception. Thoso minus an arm are tho best off, and comparatively few aro out of employment, as they are generally able to do clerical and other light work. There are men who have lost noth legs attending cheerfully to lifts and kiosks; some aro making artificial limbs and flowers; some are perched on ledgers; somo are drawing pictures on pavements. Pensions vary from 28s to £4 4s a week, with an average of about 40s. _ But the limbless man who has only a pension—which merclv keeps him from destitutionwants something to occupy bis mind and keep him from brooding. That is where the chance of tho employers of New South Wales comes in.