ARTIFICIAL LIMBS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1929, Page 5

ARTIFICIAL LIMBS

PROPOSED CONTRACT OBJECTED

DUNEDIN, January 21

A reply to the protest of the Dunedin R.S.A. against the action oT the Government in deciding to enter into a contract for three years for the supply of certain types of artificial limbs while other kinds have not been given a fair or long enough trial lias been received from Hie Minister of Defence (Hon. -Mr Wilford), who has telegraphed stating that lie is looking into the question of the contract, and that he will reply further later. A meeting of the limbless men ol the Dunedin R.S.A. is called for tomorrow night. The notice calling the meeting states: “Tbe recently-disclosed intention of the Government to again (■liter into a contract with the Mackay Artificial Limb Company before sufficient time lias elapsed to ascertain which limb is tbe best for New Zealand conditions, is felt to be at variance with the promise of the previous .Minister to amputees. 'The proposal that in future only 15 per cent ot English limbs may be imported is also considered unsatisfactory, especially when the Commissioner of Pensions is to decide as to who shall be issued with such limbs.”

.MINISTER’S REPLY

WELLINGTON, January 23

The Minister of Defence (Mr Wilford) stated to-day that he had tccoived a number ol protests in relation to contracts entered into between the Government and the Mackay Artificial Limb Company. He said it was not. actually correct that the Crown was bound to purchase exclusively from the company, for in the contract it was provided that the trown retained the right to order fifteen pc* cent, of tbe total annual orders for complete new artificial legs, not including peg legs, direct from the inflowing companies in England: J. E. Hangar and Pedcstms. The protests had come too late. A three years contract with the .McKay Company was signed on November 2(Uh, and all matters in connection with the contract were completed on that date. Tie did not take office till December 10th, and could not accept responsibility. Up understood the execution of the contract in November was merely to give legal effect to the arrangements made by the late Government on September 27th.