ARTIFICIAL LIMBS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 152, 30 June 1927, Page 5

ARTIFICIAL LIMBS.

DISSATISFACTION EXPRESSED*'

COXTRACTIXG COMPANY'S REPLY,

We have received a letter from Mr, M. Ryan, New Zealand manager of thq McKay Artificial Limb Co., Ltd., lit reply to statements by Mr. A. C. A, Sexton, vice-president of the Auckland' Returned Soldiers' Association, published recently in this paper. Mr; Ryan says;—

"Mr. Sexton states that Auckland men have experienced trouble since the inauguration of the company's contract with tho Pensions Department*. However, inquiry of the Pensions Department elicits the information that no complaints have been received. On 1 , tho contrary, many ::bless men hava applied for a second metal leg to replace. their remaining wooden one. Is it not very unlikely that any pensioner would? apply for a second unsatisfactory leg,v especially as, according to Mr. Sexton,V all Auckland men were well satisfied' with the wooden legs previously issued?,' Mr. Sexton also,states that legs cannofc bo properly fitted outside Wellington,: This statement is at complete variance* with the facts as known to us. We have!had many letters from satisfied clients in Auckland, and our representative there has been able to give wholly -sat^ ; isfactory fittings in cases where an arti* fieial leg could not previously be worn* I have no doubt that the records and;, surgical reports kept by the Department will easily refute his less charge. In regard to the allegation;, of great dissatisfaction among m-'i outside Wellington, I 'beg to stata'< that the Provincial Returned Soldiers'' Associations have been unable ' pro*duco specif, cases in support of this: statement. I cannot imagine that tiieyj* would hesitate to do so if such cases, existed. This company wiuld be tha' first to hear any dissatisfaction if ifc existed as stated by Mr. Sexton. "ilr. Sexton's remarks regarding mass production are wholly beside the point,, in so far as this company is concerned, Every limb issued by us is made strictly;to measurements, and clients are questioned regarding their wishes as regardsr. details. Roughly assembled limbs are sent for fitting in such condition as will, permit of any necessary alteration at the hands of the fitter actually dealing' with tho case. Xo limb is returned for finishing off until it has been thoroughlytried by the wearer. In view of tha necessity for strictly individual treatment in all cases this company has avoided the policy of mass production.. Almost one-half of the limbs fitted by" us are now wholly constructed in tha Dominion. As the great bulk of returned soldier amputees in the Auckland Province are not members of the R.S.A., and are seldom, if ever, consulted on matters pertaining to limbs, it will be readily agreed that the association has 110 claim to speak on their behalf."