BLINDED SOLDIERS.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 36, 19 November 1920, Page 10

BLINDED SOLDIERS.

Delegates to the recent conference of patriotic societies held in Wellington were by no means unanimous in support of the scheme put forward by Mr Clutha Mackenzie for the benefit of blinded soldiers in the Dominion. Mr Clutha Mackenzie explained his proposal, which, he said, really emanated from Sir Arthur Pearson. The money was not wanted to make grants to the blinded soldiers, but was for personal needs to carry out good work done at St. Dunstan's. In regard to the £600 a year interest on the £10,000, it was proposed to raise, some money would be necessary to purchase material for the men to work with. Unfortunately, most of the men had been trained in trades that were economically unsound — such as basket-work, string-work, and poultry-farming. Money was needed for tools, literature, etc. He admitted the Government' s treatment of the blind was • generous. Married men's pensions had been raised to £5, and single men's to £4, and thedr escorts travelled on t' e railways oii the same ticket. Mr Williams moved in support of the scheme, but Messrs Dougall (Christchurch), Larner (Auckland), and Wright (Dunedin), spoke strongly against- it. The chairman (Mr L. O. H. Tripp) said that all four centrejj and Invercargill and Wanganui had turned the scheme down. Eventually the motion was carried by 11 votes to 7. It was deeided that the fund should be formed by pro rata demands oir the societies. Mr Dougall said they would get nothing from Cauterbury.