NATIONAL APPEAL

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31047, 30 April 1966, Page 21

NATIONAL APPEAL

Intellectually Handicapped A national appeal will be held next year by the Intellectually Handicapped Children Society. This was decided by the annual conference of the society in Christchurch. Mr S. King (Invercargill) said that the society had become a very large business undertaking. “We began as separate autonomous branches.” he said. “It is essential that we reverse this situation. National planning is now essential, particularly in finance. “In the past our fundraising efforts have tended to be sporadic. If we wish to provide more services, we need much more money. We must approach the public as a united body.” The society has appointed a national appeal organiser. Mr O. Jones, to handle the appeal. At present the society has assets amounting to more than £500.000 throughout New Zealand, and it takes an estimated £75,000 a year to maintain the services of the society.

As part of the plan to promote a national image, the conference approved a motion recommending that the New Zealand committee of the society commission an artist to produce an insignia for the society.

“Attempts have been made In the past to get a competition going,” Mrs M. S. Blomfield of Northland said. "Nothing has been done, and yet this visual aid is a very Important factor.” “If we could have got something going like the government’s decimal coin competition, we could have soon stimulated interest.” commented the president (Dr. D. M. G. Beasley).