BLINDED SOLDIERS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23913, 3 April 1943, Page 6

BLINDED SOLDIERS

♦ CONFERENCE IN CHRISTCHURCH The .triennial conference of St. Dunstan’s New Zealand. Blinded Soldiers’ Association will open in Christchurch to-day. Delegates were accorded a civic welcome yesterday by the Mayor fMr -E.; TL Andrews), who paid a tribute to the work of Sir Arthur Pearson, who founded the organisation in England. He recalled that about 2000 blinded soldiers had passed through the institute after the last war. “But fortunately the proportion of blinded men in this war is very much smaller,” added the Mayor. About 20 blind soldiers, four of whom had participated in the present war, were present. Mr. D., McPhee, president of the St. Dunstanis New Zealand Blinded Soldiers' Association, said they were delighted to welcome Mr G. Humphi'ies. of Auckland, "the first New Zealand soldier .to be totally blinded in the present conflict. Another visitor was Mr B. B. CaTter. a winner of the Military Medal. Other blinded soldiers of this war, included Mr J. R, Hines, of Redcliffs. and Mr M, Roche, of Lyttelton. The delegates were also welcomed by Mr Colin Miln, president of the Christchurch Returned Services' Association. and Mr H. Holland, chairman of the local advisory committee of the Sir Arthur Pearson Memorial Fund, The visitors were the guests of the Commercial Travellers’ and Warehousemen's Association at luncheon. This morning they will meet at the home of Mr J. Mclntosh, at Fcndalton. and in the afternoon at Roydon Lodge, the home of Mr J. R. McKenzie. i