THE BLIND TAKE ACTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3184, 1 April 1911, Page 5

THE BLIND TAKE ACTION.

ESTABLISHMENT OF CO-OPERA-TIVE WORKSHOPS.

A Blind People’s Welfare Association lias been formed at Redfern, Sydney. “The chief objects of the blind in bandingtogeiiier iiiKe mis,” explained Alderman F. Ivory, the president, during the interval of a concert which liad been organised to raise funds, "was to protect themselves.”

The speaker went on to say that the institutions subsidised by the Government did not offer the inducements they proposed to offer. The establishment of a co-operative workshop at Redfern would be a fact within two months, and the blind working there might rest assured that they would get the-full fruits oft their: labor-after actual working' expenses—which would be out as fine as possible—bad been taken--out'. When the workshop was opened all the blind over tlie whole State would be asked to send in the results of their work, where a market: — the best — would bo found for it.

Air. Marshall, the blind vice-president, stated that- the inauguration of the present scheme had become imperative. In tlie blind institutions the workers were paid los to 17s a week. To make ends meet, many had to do work after the ordinary working hours. People gave monev liberally to the col ectors for these institutions, but if they took the trouble in inquire the amount that the blind got would be found to be exceedingly small. “We are put in these institutions against our will,” said Air. Alai shall in conclusion, “and if we leave it is either the poorhouse or death.”