CARE OF BLIND PERSONS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21290, 9 October 1934, Page 7

CARE OF BLIND PERSONS

WORK IN NEW ZEALAND PRAISE FROM SIR lAN FRASER Captain Sir lan Fraser, C.8.E., MP., Lady Fraser and their daughter, Miss Jean Fraser, were tendered a civic reception at the City Council Chambers yesterday afternoon. Accompanying Sir lan Fraser was Mr Clutha Mackenzie, director of the New Zealand Institute for the Blind. The Mayor (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.), presided, while members of the Christchurch City Council and representatives of various local bodies were present. There was a large attendance oC the public. The Mayor extended a welcome to Sir lan Fraser, whom he described as a man distinguished in many fields in public life. He said that Sir lan Fraser was the director who succeeded Sir Arthur Pearson in the great work at St. Dunstan's, where new life and new hope had been restored to many who had lost their sight. The world knew of their guest's wonderful work for the blind and the world should honour the man for his splendid courage and tenacity in overcoming so successfully his own affliction and taking such a full part in public life. Lady Fraser had won a name for herself through the distinguished service she had rendered during the war. She was also not unknown as a mountaineer. The Mayor then made reference to the work of Mr Clutha Mackenzie. Mr H. Holland, M.P., chairman of the local advisory committee of the Sir Arthur Pearson Memorial Fund, also extended a welcome to the visitors and spoke of the work the local advisory committee was carrying out on behalf of the blind. In Christchurch the number of blind people was 120, said Mr Holland. They were the happiest people in Christchurch. Other speakers were the Rev. F. T. Read (president of the Christchurch branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association), and Mr W. F. Herrich (Commercial Travellers' and Warehousemen's Association).

< Better Understanding i Sir lan Fraser, in reply, said (.hat he regretted that owing to many town engagements, he had been unable to go out- into the country very much to study the farming conditions. "We hope, before we return, to learn of the country life in these islands so that, knowing something of your difficulties, we may aid, in our small way, a better understanding and better trade between our two countries." Sir lan said that he had been asked what he thought of New Zealand politics and people. He knew a number of people who after two or three days' stay in a country expressed opinions that led them into trouble. He did not feel qualified to express an opinion, but he would say that wherever they had been they had met with wonderful receptions. He noticed that the New Zealand Government had on its Statute Books matter that went further in providing pensions for the blind than either the governments of the Old Country or of South Africa, and this was one of the many things for which Mr Clutha Mackenzie should be thanked. He considered that nowhere in the world were the blind better cared for than in New Zealand. In reference to the work done by variout institutes for the blind Sir lan Fraser said, "We have awakened the public conscience towards blind people. Now the public feels it its duty to see that every blind person in every land shall have the opportunity of an occupation." He brought greetings from former servicemen of Britain to the returned soldiers of the Dominion, and concluded by paying a tribute to the work of Mr W. T. Woods among the blind people of New Zealand.

REUNION OF BLIND PERSONS TALK BY MR CLUTHA MACKENZIE After the civic reception accorded Sir lan Fraser yesterday afternoon, the annual gathering of blind persons

of Christchurch was held in the City Council Chambers. Sir lan Fraser was the guest of honour. Mr H. Holland, M.P., who presided, said that the Government was anxious to do all it could to assist the blind. The changed location of 3YA had put out of commission all the crystal sets supplied to the blind, and the institute was now endeavouring to discover suitable sets. He referred to the valuable aid granted by the Government in allowing free radio licenses to the blind. Mr Clutha Mackenzie, director of the New Zealand Trust for the Blind, said Christchurch had always taken the keenest interest in the work for blind persons. He remembered when returning to New Zealand after the war, the interest Mr Holland had shown in the methods of St. Dunstans. After Sir Arthur Pearson's death Canterbury had led the way in establishing the memorial fund. It had given £BOOO, including a grant of £IOOO from the Christchurch City Council. Referring to the congratulations accorded him for his work in the New Zealand Institute, he said that in bringing to New Zealand the modern methods evolved by Sir Arthur Pearson at St. Dunstans, he was acting merely as a missionary. People out here had proved eager to put into practice those new methods and a splendid organisation had sprung up. He wished to express his appreciation of the splendid services rendered by Mr C. E. Jones, who organised the marketing of the institute's wares in Christchurch. Thanks were also due to the Women's Division of the Farmers' Union and the Women's Institutes for continually helping to find new markets.

Finances of the Institute Last year had been a good one for the institute, though expenditure continued to exceed income by some £2OOO. The income had dropped from £IO,OOO 10 years ago to £SOOO last year, whereas the roll had increased, in a corresponding period, from 76 to 160. Negotiations with the Government had resulted in the partial restoration of the institute's subsidy. The Government had guaranteed £IOOO annually for five years, and this sum would be regarded as a contribution to the running of the school for blind girls and boys. The institute was prepared to finance adult work from other sources. The workshops had been busy throughout the year, and splendid work was being done by the men and women. During the autumn a reunion of New Zealand blind soldiers was held in Auckland, where a civic reception had been accorded them. In March the beautiful Bledisloe House had been opened in Auckland. Legislation had been introduced by the New Zealand Government making it possible for blind people to be accompanied to the polling booths by friends to record their vote. Sir lan Fraser was to be thanked for that, because he had guided the measure through the House of Commons in England, thus making the introduction of similar measures much easier in New Zealand. Mr Mackenzie concluded by thanking Miss C. Campbell for her great work in teaching and helping the blind in Christchurch. During the afternoon Sir lan Fraser made a brief informal speech in which he gave many humorous reminiscences. Sir lan paid a special tribute to the work of Mr D. McPhee, an old St. Dunstans boy, and a member of the board of trustees to the New Zealand Institute for the Blind. Musical items were given, and afternoon tea was served.