HELP FOR THE DEAF

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22466, 29 July 1938, Page 6

HELP FOR THE DEAF

* FIRST SOCIAL HELD BY LEAGUE PRESIDENT MENTIONS HIGH COST OF INSTRUMENTS The high cost of mechanical aids to hearing, and the ambition of the League for the Hard of Hearing to make such aids easily available to its members, were mentioned by the president of the Christchurch branch of the league (Mr John Montgomery), in an address at the first social gathering to be held by the branch, last evening. The social was attended by a large number of persons hard of hearing, and others interested in the work of the league. Mrs John Montgomery was hostess, and Mr A. J. McEldowney was in charge of the gathering. "This society intends to try to help those who are deaf," said Mr Montgomery, "and the way we hope to do it is by social contacts and by providing you with good instruments. But' good instruments are very expensive, and I am afraid that there are some people who want to make money out of those who are deaf." Demonstrating one instrument which he said was the best available, Mr Montgomery said that the wholesale cost of it was about £5, but it was sold at £2O. "I do not think this is fair," he said. "Our society wants to get good instruments and to let you have them at a nominal price. If you cannot join in with your fellow men you become a recluse and that is what we are trying to avoid. This league is intended to bring the deaf back into society. Also, we want those who are deaf to lenrn lip-reading. We want them to join the classes which we are going to begin very soon. The cost will be very small, and we expect at least 30 or 40 members." He appealed to all deaf persons to co-operate with the league by attending the socials and the lip-reading classes. A brief address was given by Bishop Brodie, who paid a tribute to Mr Montgomery for his encouragement of the league. The social was the practical beginning of the league's work. Public authorities and the churches, he said, should be encouraged to install equipment for the deaf in their buildings. During the evening members of the league were given an opportunity of experimenting with a number of-in-struments which were demonstrated by Mr Montgomery. The remainder of the time was spent in playing table games and informal conversation.