MORE AID URGED

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31785, 16 September 1968, Page 26

MORE AID URGED

Handicapped Children (N.Z. Press Association). NAPIER. Sept. 15. The time had come for the Government to provide more aid for Intellectually Handicapped Children, the chairman of the Trust Board for Home Schools for Curative Education (Mr L. E. Harris, of Napier) said yesterday. At the opening of a $20,000 extension to the board’s Hohepa Girls’ Home, Wharerangi, near Napier, Mr Harris said: “We hope the Government or the Minister of Health (Mr McKay) will some day realise the need.” He said New Zealand prided itself on being one of the pioneers of the welfare state, but in the care of the intellectually handicapped New Zealand was behind the older countries of Europe. The board began 11 years ago, caring for 15 children at Wharerangi. Now it had 85 children in its care at the five establishments at Wharerangi and Clive (also near Napier) and in Christchurch. “When you realise that for every two children we need one staff member, you can see the size of the operation after only 11 years,” he said. “The time has come when the Government must realise the need and do more to aid these children.”

“Sacred Duty.”—President Nasser said tonight that Egyptians had a sacred duty to liberate the territory now occupied by Israel, but that the battle would not be easy. The Egyptian Army had increased its capacity to repel aggression, and Egyptians must stand fast against Israel, he said.—Cairo, September 15.