"DEPENDS ON PUBLIC"

Taranaki Daily News, 19 September 1940, Page 9

"DEPENDS ON PUBLIC"

HELP FOR CRIPPLES "The society is entirely dependent on j the support of the public for funds to j continue giving financial assistance to crippled children," stated Mr. A. W. Wilson at a meeting of the Hawera branch of the Crippled Children Society on Tuesday. That there were many calls on tne public purse at present was fully realised by other members, but it should be remembered, they added, that there was still a duty to the unfortunate members of the community who required medical or surgical treatment. Several cases were granted financial assistance by the meeting, including two new ones. This brought the number of cases under the observation of the society to 21 for the month. The secretary, Mr. D. W. Beswick, reported on proceedings at the annual conference at Wellington last month. He stated that a uniform system of case record cards was to be introduced so that all branches would have a simple method of recording progress. He dealt more particularly with the establishment of craft centres, as determined at Wellington. Grant of £2000. The conference had decided to make a grant of £2000 as a subsidy for the establishment of craft centres throughout New Zealand, stated Mr. Beswick. Of this £1000 was to be devoted to the establishment of centres for occupational therapy, and the other £1000 to the provision of special equipment at traming centres. A committee that had investigated the question reported to the conference that in view of the national social services being evolved in h evv Zealand, such centres should not be established in institutions owned and operated by the society, but should be a definite responsibility of the btate. The society should impress on the Heaitfi and Education Departments the urgent necessity for such centres, and it shoula request the departments to appoint jornt expert committees to examine the question with the society and report, to investigate the extent ot existing equipment and facilities, and to make recommendations. This report had been adopted and referred to the executive committee for action, concluded Mr. Beswick.