RETURNED MEN’S WORK.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20256, 27 July 1937, Page 2

RETURNED MEN’S WORK.

WAR-DISABLED GRAFTBMEN. DISPLAY AT ST. PETER'S HALL. To demonstrate the high quality of handicraft work which is being dono | in England by war-disabled men, and j to stimulate the interest of New Zealand people in the promotion of similar employment for their own disabled returned men, an exhibition and sale or handicraft work by tho members of the British Disabled Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Mutual Association was opened in St. Peter’s Hall, Hamilton, yesterday by the Mayor of Hamilton, Mr J. H. Fow. The exhibition will be continued to-day. In speaking of the dual object of the exhibition, Mr E. F. ClaytonGreene, who presided, said that the fine quality of the work on display was interesting from the psychological point of view in that It displayed the degree of skill which oould be attained by men, working under serious handicaps, when they had something definite given them to do. He considered that the work of the association could point a lesson to the New Zealand Government, particularly with regard to the latter’s invalidity pensions schemes. The speaker stressed the advisability of some form of vocational training centre where disabled persons might learn to make the fullest use of their restricted powers. Patronage of Royalty. Mr H. W. Guy, organising secretary to the association, who is in charge of tho exhibition, spoke briefly on the association’s work and aims, and traced its development. From very small beginnings, it had grown steadily until the establishment now covered an area of eight acres near Sheffield. Living quarters for the men and their families occupied 50 bungalows, while the workshops, dyeworks and printing establishments made up the largest textile printing organisation of its kind in the world. All this had been accomplished without a single appeal to the charity of the public. The movement had received active support from members of the Royal family, said Mr Guy, and the quality of the work done had attracted the patronage of the aristocracy generally. On display at the exhibition, in addition to specimens of high-grade woollen and silk work, was a replica of a bod-cover, hand-painted on a golden ground, made to the order of the Queen, when Duchess of York, as her wedding present to the Duchess of Gloucester. In formally opening the show-, Mr mended the work of ’ the association to the attention and active support of Hamilton people.