THE WAR BLIND

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 304, 21 November 1934, Page 12

THE WAR BLIND

NEW CASES STILL COMING IN. RECORDS OF~ST. DUNSTAN’S. The nineteenth annual report of St. Dunstan’s for war-blinded soldiers, sailors, and airmen, just issued, states that during the year 19 new cases of war-blindness were admitted, including five gas cases, the pernicious effect of which has been delayed for over 15 years. The number of cases under its care, it is added, is still in the neighbourhood of 2000; this in spite of the fact that during the year under review 29 war-blinded ex-servicemen died. They had all been under the care of St. Dunstan’s. In addition to the 2000 war-blinded men, the organisation looks after about 5000 of their dependants. “As the men get older,” it goes on, “their needs increase. As the years pass, the principal supporters of St. Dunstan’s, namely, those who remember the War at first hand, diminish.” On the other hand, it is clear from the report that the generosity of the British public remains at a very high level, with the result that it can be said in their own words, “The executive council of St. Dunstan’s report that the year just ended was satisfactory in every respect.” It is significant that, as the report says, more importance is being attached to the Brighton Convalescent Home, presented 15 years ago by the Federation of Grocers’ Associations of Great Britain. “More blinded soldiers,’’ it states, “suffer illness and need a change and, as a result, more provision is being made for them. It has been decided to build up a fund to ensure the continuance of the Home during the men’s life-time.”

MORE EMPLOYMENT. The blinded masseurs, telephone operators and other commercial and business men, it is stated, have made progress during the last year and have to a great extent recovered from the depression. More work has been found for all. At the same time, the home workers and craftsmen are still being assisted in every way with their occupations, and some 250,000 articles made by them were sold by St. Dunstan’s last year. Large as this sale sounds, it does not actually reflect an improvement, and is about the same as during the preceding year. Supporters, therefore, are asked to buy more goods either direct from St. Dunstan’s or at one of the many exhibitions at which they are shown all over the country throughout the year. The accounts and balance-sheet indicate little change from the year Irefore, but the fact does emerge that, provided donations, subscriptions, and legacies continue as at present, St. Dunstan’s will carry out its pledge to ensure proper treatment and every reasonable care for its blinded ex-sol-diers until the last one has passed on. “FOR THE DURATION.” The report contains a full description of the work and activities of St. Dunstan’s under the title “For the duration.” This phrase was popular enough 20 years ago, but for war-blinded men it has taken on a new significance. They have to face the prospect of physical darkness for the rest of their lives. They are blinded—-“for the duration.”

lan Hay (Major John Hay Beith), who is a member of the executive council of St. Dunstan’s, writes an appreciative note at the beginning of the report in reference to the knighthood conferred upon the chairman of St. Dunstan’B—Captain Sir lan Fraser—“for services on behalf of the blind.”