MISSION FOR LEPERS

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 17, 7 May 1952, Page 4

MISSION FOR LEPERS

MEErriNG IN TAUPO An unexpected problem in high violftage electricity /was responjsible for a last-minute change of venue for the meeting arranged to be held at Rickits Hall on Thursday last in connedtion with the Mission for Lepers. The speaker was the Rev Murray H. Feist, secretary of the New Zealand Auxiliary of the Mission (an international body), and, as advertised his address was to be illustratedi by colour films. These, it was discovered, could not be shown with the W. C. Current available at Rickits Hall. A scramble ensued on the part of those responsible for arranging his meeting, to find a substitute plant. This was eventually run to earth at the D.S.I.R. Camp, where Mr Turnbull very kindly invited the showing of the films in the mens dining room. Hurriedly concerted, the room was soon crowded beyond capacity by an audience which enjoyed the clearness and the exquisite colouring of the film shown, and impressed by the vividness and appeal of Mr Feists message. Mr Feist has made a wide study of the world leprosy situation, and v/ith his up-tc-date films was abTe to convey to his audience the stark tragedy of thousands upon thousands of lepers turned adrift from home and freinds to a life of suffering, loneliness, and slow starva tion. In strong eontrast was the story, told per medium of coloured film!, of a lovely young mother discovered to have contracted the dread disease. Thrust from her home, after weeks and months of lonely wandering, hunger, abject poverty, she was directed to a leper eolony, and at its hospital injected with the effective, !but expensive sulphone drug. During years in which treatment was continued she became a nurse at- the colonies hospital. Then came the happy moment of discharg'.^— alepro!sy arrested". This story is repeating itself today in 112 leper colonies scattered through 25 countries of the world. Success in treatment is attracting to these leper colonies a fast increasing number of infected persons; but generous as is the response to appeals for the maintenance and extension of this great work, it is still limited by lack of sufficient accommlodation, equipment, and staff. Contributions may be sent direct to the Dominion Secretary, 135 Upper Symonds Street, Auckland, or to the local Box Secre- ' tary, Mrs J. E. Young, Williams Street, Taupo.