Untitled

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 13209, 28 September 1915, Page 3

France has already made some progress with the work of finding niches of usefulness for her blinded soldiers. A convalescent home has been established for them at Reuilly, where the first step is to "give them a taste for life again by providing them with the certainty of a future not only bearable, but completely happy, in which |they will have the pride and joy of being workers.'' They are taught the Braille alphabet, and. then set to learn brush-making, straw-plaiting, basket-work, massage, mattress-mak-ing, and so on. Another convalescent home assists blind soldiers to follow their proper professions. Another society gives complimentary pensions ranging up to 300 francs to blind soldiers w*ho have families. '' The blind soldier," it is said, "provided with his pension, and knowing two. or three trades, can marry in all confidence, and open a shop in his own country, in the midst of his relations and friends." Homes of various kinds, indeed, have been established in many parts of France for the benefit of the brave men broken in the war.