BLINDED SOLDIERS

Hokitika Guardian, 3 August 1921, Page 1

BLINDED SOLDIERS

HOW THEY ARE CARED FOR. NEW ZEALAND’S FINE RECORD. WHAT THE MEN ARE DOING. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister in charge of Repatriation, has been inter_ est.ing himself during the past few days in a review of what has been don© by tho After-care Branch of the Department in the matter of repatriating' those men who had the misfortune to lose their sight at the war. Discussing the matter with a “Dominion” reporter, recently, the Minister said: — “ I am more than pleased with the satisfactory manner in which these men’s eases' have been handled by my officers, and are gratified to know that all the men appear to he happy and comfortably settled. Fortunately the bulk of tlipm, some twenty-four in all, received most excellent training in different lines at St. Dunst-an’s, England. The records show' that on amval in New Zealand each man has been met on the steamer by officers of the Repatriation Department, and his return notified to the Jubilee Institute for the Blind, the Commercial Travellers’Blind Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Fund, and the Repatriation Committee in the man’s district. These Wind men are nrtw working as masseurs, poultry farmers, bee-keepers, hag, mat, and basketmakers. etc., and one man is actually carrying on successfully as a clerk in a well-known company’s office! “ Apart from liberal assistance rendered by the bodies mentioned, the various patriotic societies, and others, tho Lands Department has in many cases assisted in the acquisition of (hvclings and small farm properties, and the Repatriation Department has financed some of the men to enable them to start in business in the lines f have indicated. Apparently the mn_ iority of the men are married, and are therefore in receipt of permanent pensions of £5 10s per week, with 10s per week extra for each child, the single men drawing permanent pensions of £4 10s per week. Probably what impressed me most on looking through the files was the cheery optimism of these tragically afflicted men, who appear to be surprisingly happy and contented, notwithstanding their disability.”

The reports received by the Afinister rogardng the blinded soldiers show the success that has attended the efforts of thn Defence Department and the Repatriation Department to help these men. Tho men have all been given every opportunity and encouragement to learn trades and occupations, and

they have been assisted liberally to establish themselves comfortably. Some

of the reports, made by officers who are themselves returned soldiers, are as follow, the names of the Winded men being omitted: - (1) “ Comfortably settled. He occupies his time in making string hags and in looking after a yacht in which he has a share. Ho is quite happy and contented.” (2) “In business as a masseur in Auckland, and is comfortable and contented.”

(3) “He is on tbe land, bolding a section under tho Lands for Settlement Act, and is doing well.” (4) “ He lias a bouse and ono acre pf land and i s poultry farming. He is doing O.K, and intends to increase his buildings.” (5) “ Engaged in hammock-making and is quite satisfied.” (6) “Working hard on his farm.”

(7) “He w T as granted a loan of £B6O by tho Land Board for tbe purchase of land and a bouse. He is now beefarming and doing well.” (8) “This man is engaged as clerk with a Dunedin firm, and is doing splendidly. He has his own bouse.” (9) “Carrying on a, poultry farm. He is quite happy and seems very- keen on his work.”

(]0) “He is employed by the Defence Department as a masseur, and is giving every satisfaction.”

(11) “He has learnt hoot repairing and desires to start, in business on his own account.”

(12 “Employed making hammocks, children’s swings .etc. He has a home with a splendid vegetable garden.” (13) “Settled on 48 acres in tho Auckland district, and doing well.” 14) “Making sea grass furniture in Wellington and doing well.” The other reports are similar in tone. Tt, appears that, all New Zealand Winded soldiers have been placed in profitable occupations. They are receiving their war pensions, of course, but the effort of the Repatriation Department has boon to guide them into some useful and congenial work, where they will have a chance of happiness that would scarcely he theirs if they were condemned to a life of idlenes.