ASSISTING THE BLIND.

Otaki Mail, 19 February 1923, Page 3

ASSISTING THE BLIND.

TO-NIGHT’S PICTURE ENTERTAINMENT. It is to be hoped that the at to-night’s picture display will be large and that a substantial amount will be raised for the fund. Of all the afflictions to which mankind is liable blindness is one of the most terrible, but its sadness and sorrow can to a large extent be mitigated if the sufferers arctaught some useful occupation so that their time can be profitably employed. A movement is now on foot with the object of raising"throughout the Dominion, for the purpose of helping the blind, a sum of £15,000, which would carry a Government subsidy of 21s to the pound. The portion of this amount which it is desired Otaki should contribute is small, and we have no doubt that local residents will be only too pleased to assist such a worthy" cause. The money will be treated as a memorial to the late Sir Arthur Pearson, .who was himself blind, and who did so much for his fellow sufferers in showing them that although they had lost their sight, the future was not so hopeless as they had imagined. Mr Clutha Mackenzie is at the head of the movement that has for its object the raising of money in New Zealand. He is, as is well-known, one of those who sustained blindness as the result of war injuries and his career is a wonderful example of hew a man can triumph over one of the worst afflictions possible. It is with the object of training the blind 'that the money is to be raised, and New Zealanders are always so ready to assist a worthy cause that wc have no doubt the necessary amount will be forthcoming. To enable this to be done, however, each portion of the Dominion must do its share, and residents of this town and district should take steps to ensure the amount required locally being obtained. All should give freely and willingly, according to their ability, to help their fellow citizens who have lost their sight.