THE BLIND OF NEW ZEALAND.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2538, 3 February 1923, Page 3

THE BLIND OF NEW ZEALAND.

APPEAL FOR FUNDS. ADDRESS BY MR CLUTHA Mc- ~ KENZIE. Mr Clutha McKenzie, chairman of the Sir Arthur Pearson Memorial Fund to aid the blind people of New Zealand, addressed a public meeting in the Town Hall supper-room on Thursday night. Owing to short notice there was only a small attendance.- The Mayor (Mr John Chrystall) occupied the chair and in introducing and welcoming the speaker referred to Mr McKenzie’s activities, in the great war, which had resulted in the loss of his sight. Mr McKenzie, however,- had not lost heart and was doing a noble work in bringing hope and cheerfulness into the lives of those similarly affected and also to help„them to be useful members of society.. The Mayor said he was certain Foxt-on would respond to Mr McKenzie’s appeal in a most generous manner and there would not be any difficulty in raising the quoita alloted. Mr McKenzie on rising to speak was received with applause. He humorously referred to a previous visit to Foxton and his experiences —in transit during a flood. He dealt at- length with his personal expert iences with the late Sir Arthur Pearson and the noble work he had initiated on behalf of the blinded soldiers and civilians. Now that the blind were being cared for many were doing better than before they lost their sight. They were thoroughly trained in trades and professions and the old'prejudice was being removed. The speaker referred to the St. Dunstan’s Hospital through which 2,500 British sailors and soldiers passed during the war period. This was a beautifully appointed place, and contained everything for cheerfulness and comfort —quite different from the pre-Pear-son blind institutions, which had been gloomy and sordid. He explained the routine of the hospital, and the method of instructions. When he sailed for New Zealand, in 1918, Sir Arthur asked him to take up the work in New Zealand. When he arrived in New Zeajand he found that there was very little being done for blind people; in fact, less was being done here than in any other part of the world. There were 550 blind persons in the Dominion and many of these were living useless and idle lives, in extreme poverty. The Jubilee Institute at Auckland, had accommodation for 76 patients and it was hoped to bring this institution right up to date but it was of little use training people unless money was available to start them properly in business after leaving the Institute. In 1921 Sir Arthur Pearson met his death. A little later his trustees cabled out. to'Mr McKenzie to take charge of the Pearson Memorial Fund in New Zealand. They set out an objective of £45,000 for New Zeal And, and by last May, £25000 had been collected. W|hen the objective-was reached and with the Government subsidy of 24/- for every £ raised, the income from interest would be approximately £6,000 per annum, and it was intended to use this so that the fund will last for all time. It would require only about £1,200 per annum for administration purposes. The quota arrived at for each district was on the basis of 1/- per head of population and in the-districts so far visited, there had not been any difficulty whatever, in most cases the quota was greatly exceeded. The blind did not want charity or pity but the op-

portunity to be trained so -that they could follow a useful occupation for in work theyjfound happiness and this was Unessential point. Of the 24 New Zealand soldiers blinded in the war, five were masseurs. Owing to their excellent touch they were greatly in demand, and were earning from £6 to £lO per week.

Two were shorthand writers and typists, eight to ten poultry and small farmers, one was a basket-

maker, and repaired all the.big ham

,pers in use at the G.P.0., Wellington, while two others made baskets and hampers, etc., and several were pianoforte tuners. Of the 24, 18 were married since losing their sight and there were 30 children. They had good homes, were happy and •were better citizens than they were before receiving their affliction. A number of questions were answered at the conclusion of the address which was listened to with marked interest. The following committee was } set up to raise Foxton’s quota: — Mesdames F. Robinson, C. Pearson, L. Bullard, Rev. Walton, Messrs Poole, Follas, Chrystall,Perreau and Pearson. The Rev. Walton was appointed secretary and Mr Poole treasurer. The method of raising funds was discussed and it. was decided to make a direct appeal. The Mayor headed the list with a donation of £5. Thanks were accorded the speaker for his address and those present were subsequently introducd to Mr McKenzie. During the evening instrumental and vocal items were contributed by Misses Patterson and Delany,- Mrs L. Bullard and Mr Poole, which were much appreciated.