ASSISTING THE BLIND.

Otaki Mail, 14 February 1923, Page 3

ASSISTING THE BLIND.

APPEAL BY MR CLUTHA MACKENZIE. MEETING AT OTAKI. Au appeal for .funds on behalf of the Sir A. Pearson Memorial Fund for assisting the blind was made by Sir Clutha Mackenzie, who addressed a fair attendance at the Otaki theatre last evening. Mr J. P. Brandon (Mayor) occupied the chair, and referred to the splendid work done by Mr Mackenzie on behalf of the blind of New Zealand. Mr Mackenzie, whose appearance was greeted with applause, said the appeal j was one for £13,000 which would bear | a Government subsidy of 24s in the pound, bringing the final amount to £IOO,OOO. It was proposed to establish

a permanent endowment to be a memorial to the late Sir Arthur Pearson, who, it was well known, had done an almost endless amount of good on behalf of those afflicted through lack of sight. It was the civilian blind that were to be assisted, the speaker assured his hearers. and not the soldier blind, as a large number of people thought. He declared that less was being done for the blind in this country than in any other portion of the civilised community. Many peculiar impressions, too. were

gained by some people of the effect of blindness on a person, he having had personal experiences of being treated as if he had lost with his sight all other faculties. The speaker dwelt for a short period in an eulogy of the work of .Sir Arthur Pearson who, he said, infused a spirit of cheerfulness into those afflicted in the same way as himself, and taught them to help themselves in the carrying out of tlioir various duties. If was the fact of being able to help oneself that enabled the blind people to carry on without the misery and despondency which would assuredly accompany them otherwise. Ho had recently completed a tour of various .South Island towns and expressed himself well satisfied with the response to his appeal. There was one blind person to about every 2000 in New Zealand, Mr Mackenzie continued, tint! although there was in Auckland an institute for those so afflicted, this was not sufficiently expansive to cater for the requirements of all the. cases in the Dominion. AATiat was required was a local eom : inittee to be formed to look after the various eases of blindness in Otaki and district. It would be the business of this committee to see that they received proper employment and good living quarters. After their discharge from the institution needy eases would be reported to headquarters through the committee. “Occupation,” said the speaker, “is everything with the blind man. To sit in darkness and do nothing is. as I am well aware, almost intolerable; and it is only reasonable to assume—in fact it has been proved—that the blind man had less desire than the ordinary man to ! shirk his work. He is more enthusiastic. because his occupation is the only joy of his life.” There were many walks of life, Air Mackenzie said, in which the blind could be trained to participate, and he instanced a number of trades which were being successfully carried on by people trained at the institutes. The speaker concluded by appealing to the public for tlieir co-operation and support in his endeavours to perpetuate iu a practical manner the memory of tho man to whom the world was indebted perhaps more than to any other —Sir Arthur Pearson. In answer .0 a question bv the Rev. Kea.ll Mr Mackenzie said he could not say how many blind passed through the Institute at Auckland. The records wore not complete but a thorough register was to be taken. It was desired to see the blind catered for and not herded together in an institution. The Chairman, in moving a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Mackenzie, said what was wanted was practical sympathy. and he lisped a strong committee would be formed to further the object. He would have pleasure in meeting all who desired to assist.