AMONG THE "DIGGERS”

Evening Star, Issue 19519, 29 March 1927, Page 10

AMONG THE "DIGGERS”

PH MINISTER WITH LIMBLESS MEN SUGGESTIONS OF USA Among about forty “ ex-Diggers ” in the Returned Soldiers’ Club yesterday afternoon the Prime. Minister (Right Hon. J. G. Coates) was quite at home. He was there for the purpose of meeting the executive of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association and members of the Limbless Committee of the R.S.A. to hear a number of complaints respecting _ the unsuitability of the type of artificial limb supplied by the Government to limbless returned soldiers. The mayor (Mr H. L. Tapley, M.P.) was present, and Mr E. J. Anderson (president of the R.S.A.) occupied the chair. Mr Anderson, on behalf of the association, which he said was the strongest and healthiest branch of the R.S.A. in New Zealand, extended a welcome to the'Prime Minister on his first visit to the club. What they wanted to put before Mr Coates was the important question of providing artificial limbs for the men who had suffered amputations. The matter had been first mentioned about twelve months ago, when there were some complaints ns to the durability and fitness of the limbs in use. Now. after twelve months, complaiiits were still being received, and as the result of these complaints the Dunedin R.S.A. had made_ inquiries of seventeen limbless men in the city ns to how the limbs were lasting. Mr Anderson went on to quote some of the replies to the association’s request. Almost all the replies acre against the suitability of the Mackay limb supplied by the department. The majority of the amputees gave the life of these limbs as about twelve months. One described his leg as the worst he had had. and another said he would go on crutches rather than use the leg. A number of the men complained of the noise the leg made in walking. Another man humorously wrote that he used the Mackay limh only on Sundays, and used his ptg leg for the other days of the week.

Mr Anderson wont on to say that the executive, as the result of the inquiries. had been satisfied that the Mackay limb was not giving satisfaction. They knew that the Government contract with the firm was just expiring, and it was suggested that, as was clone in England with the Collins Committee, a committee of some kind should be set up to find the limb most suitable for New Zealand wear. In England the committee saw fourteen different types of limbs, and recommended two types. Inquiries had been made in New Zealand regarding the limb, and two men who had worn it had given excellent testimonials. Tho speaker was sure that, as a returned soldier, Mr Coates .would wish to see the men got the best possible artificial limbs. Complaints had'been so marked that the association had written to the Minister of Defence and had suggest’d that they should come to Wellington and show him the letters from the limbless men. They had taken the opportunity, howover. of. meeting him (the F.rimo Minister). They were not out to embarass any department,, because they were satisfied trouble existed in Dunedin. The men here said the Mackay limb was not giving satisfaction. It was suggested that before the Gover> ment relet the contract it should go into the matter very carefully and decide what was the best limb for the ex-Diggers. In the meantime they respectfully, but earnestly, wished to tell the Prime Minister that, as far as Dunedin was concerned, there was dissatisfaction, and rather marked dissatisfaction.

A number of the limbless men then displayed their limbs to Mr Coates and pointed, out tho weak points of th-mi. One man said it was a great mentai and physical strain in using a limb that was not satisfactory. For that reason he thought that, if matters were not improved, a great many limbless men might bo inclined to forsake ihtir work and apply for the economic pension. Another man contended that a leather leg he had, although Jib heavier, was far more comfortable.

Mr Anderson said the association was prepared to give the Minister of Defence all the information in their possession. They - would be prepared to go to Wellington. Mr Coates; You suggest a committee of inquiry.' Who do you suggest should bo represented on it? Mr Anderson: The Pensions Department, returned soldiers, medical profession. and wearers of artificial limbs.

In answer to another query from the Prime Minister, Mr Anderson said a letter had been received from the Minister of Defence to the effect that it was not considered necessary to set up a committee. Mr Coates said it seemed to him that the only ones who were m a position to know were the wearers of artificial limbs. It was his own opinion that they should get nothing but the best. He had interested Himself a little in the matter of the - suitability of tho M‘Kay limb. It must be borne in mind that the M‘Kay people were returned soldiers, and at one time it was certainly consideied that the M'Kay limbs were the best, but he admitted that later developments might have altered the position. They could not ignore tho experience of users elsewhere, as, after all, there were many thousands of men with artificial limbs in Britain, whose experiences had to be taken account of. He would take the earliest opportunity to discuss tho position with Mr Rollcston. The typo of leg that gave the most satisfaction was the one they wanted. Mr Anderson suggested that Mr Gordon should go to Wellington and present the case before Mr Uolleston.

Mr White, secretary of tho local R.S.A., said that two other types of limbs appeared to be giving satisfaction. He pointed out that men who wanted to get wooden limbs fitted could not do so.

Mr Coates said he understood that that was the position. The M'Kay Company naturally had the monopoly.