LIMBLESS SOLDIERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 130, 3 June 1937, Page 22

LIMBLESS SOLDIERS

ANNUAL MEETING

The fourth, annual meeting of the Limbless Men's Association was. held recently. The chairman (Mr. F. Thompson), in reviewing the activities of the association during the past year, said that the work had concerned the two main problems affecting limbless men. These were the questions of unemployed limbless men, and the quality of, the artificial limbs available. With regard to the first, every opportunity had been followed up which held possibilities for the placing of an unemployed member. Most of the positions inquired into had been notified by Mr. J. Spence, the secretary of the Wellington R.S.A., who was always an enthusiastic worker on behalf of the "limbies." Unfortunately, not much success had.beea obtained in finding-permanent employment for those seeking jobs. During the coming year-it was intended to request the State Placement Serviceto make a special* effort to find suit-: able positions and the members concerned should immediately register at the Placement Office.

Regarding the matter of artificial limbs, the chairman stated that limbless men felt #hat sufficient steps had not been taken to incorporate in the limbs issued improvements which had been made in England during the past 20 years. This question would 'be taken up with the Pensions Depart-' ment. ' ......: : ■~

On the social side the year had been enjoyable. The annual picnic given by the Evans Bay Yacht and Motor Boat Club had again been a great success. An evening given by the Kilbirnie Auxiliary of the W.R.S.A. had been thoroughly appreciated by those limbless men who attended. The association, was the recipient of a fine set of indoor bowls which had been specially purchased by the W.R.S.A. for the use of the "limbies," and this thoughtful action was much appreciated. The bowls were handed over at a special function which was attended by members of the executive of the W.R.S.A. A special'visitor that night was Mr. David McLaren, who had some time previously givenl the proceeds of the sale of his poem "The Cenotaph,'" to the Limbless Men's Association. The annual bowling match, "Limbies", versus "Wingies," was again won by' the "Limbies." Mr.1 Thompson stated that he himself had been fortunate to be a member of the rink that won the Returned! Soldiers' Bowling Tournament. A unique incident occurred when the "cup was presented. He (a "limbie") - had, as skip of the.Karori team, received the trophy from the Hon. Wm. Perry (a "wiugie"), who was president of the New Zealand Bowling Council. . Th» secretary of the Bowling Council had been Mr. L. McNabb (a "wingie") and in the final a member of the opposing rink was Mr. P. Smith (a "limbie"). Mr. Thompson said that membership was satisfactory, and the financial position sound,' showing a credit balance of £12 9s 4d.

■Representation on the executive of the W.R.S.A. had been maintained by the re-election of Mr. A: E. .Ogilvie. He regretted very much that Mr Ogilvie had decided not to stand this year and he kffew that the W.R.S.A. were loath to let him go after three years' excellent service. -

The election of officers resulted as follows:—Chairman, Mr. F. Thompson (re-elected); secretary-treasurer, Mr W. M. F. Williams (re-elected); committee, Messrs. H.GiiTord-Moore, R. G. Cook, V. D. Haszard, J. Tandy; hon. auditor, Mr, A. T. Duncan (re-elected). Mr. K. rS. Henry was • unanimously nominated as a candidate for the election of the W.R.S.A; executive.