BLIND SOLDIERS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23914, 5 April 1943, Page 6

BLIND SOLDIERS

SPECIAL HOSPITAL WANTED

ASSOCIATION’S PROPOSAL Members of the St. Dunstan’s New Zealand Blinded Soldiers’ Association, at their triennial conference in Christchurch on Saturday, passed a resolution favouring the establishment of a special hospital for war service blinded, preferably in Auckland, at or near the Institute for the Blind. Mr D. McPhee, of Auckland, presided over a representative attendance from throughout New Zealand of 19 members. The association decided to affiliate with the Australian Blinded Soldiers’ Association. A report was received from Sir lan Fraser, chairman of St. Dunstan’s, England, concerning New Zealanders who are blind and prisoners of war. With the assistance of the British Red Cross, the International, Red Cross, and the Y.M.CA,. , Sir lan is, helping, a little St. Dunstan’s .in the heart of the enemy country. ' Altogether, it was stated, there were 35 British blind prisoners of war in Germany, and they had been assembled in the one camp, which had been organised by Lieutenant Lord Normanby, himself a seriously wounded prisoner. though not blind. The camp was run on British lines. St. Dunstan s had forwarded Braille watches, typewriters, etc., and teachers had been organised in the camp to teach the men. Originally there were three New Zealanders there; Signalman T. R. H. Wood, Private S. G. Schofield, and Driver W. G. Dunn. Signalman Wood is totally blind, but the other two have recovered somewhat. Signalman Wood mastered both Braille and typewriting. There is also a blind Maori soldier. Private Tai Paul, of Rotorua, who is a prisoner of war in Italy. St. Dunstan’s has forwarded him instructions in Braille, also the usual comforts. The following officers were elected; Patron, the Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall; vice-patrons, Sir Clutha Mackenzie, the Hon. W. Perry, M.L.C.; president. Mr D. McPhee; vice-presi-dents, Mr W. T. Woods, of Christchurch, and Mr C. M. Moloney, of Auckland: executive, Messrs C. M. Johnson and J. W. N. Mclntosh, of Christchurch, Mr M. Lynch and Mr B. B. Carter, of Auckland; secretary and treasurer, Mr D. M. Dougherty, of Auckland.