CRIPPLE CHILDREN

Northern Advocate, 30 January 1936, Page 2

CRIPPLE CHILDREN

OTAMATEA COUNTY’S ATTITUDE. During the December, meeting of the Otamatea County Council, Cr. Scott Davidson made a striking appeal to the Government to treat the care of crippled children as a national concern and not leave their welfare a matter for charity. At Monday’s meeting of the council a letter was tabled from the Prime Minister, Mr M. J. Savage, stating that “it had long been recognised by the members of the Government that the care of crippled children should be made a national responsibility, and legislative effect will be given to this aspect of our policy at the earliest possible date.” Cr. Scott Davidson: “Since our last meeting I have had letters from all over New Zealand complimenting the council for the attitude they have adopted. It was fh* hope of many of the writers that other councils would adopt a similar attitude. Many cripples have written to me relating how they now have to undergo a means test to obtain relief from the fund. We could at least take up the question of circularising our neighboring local boduies.” The secretary of the Mayor of Auckland’s fund for the relief of crippled children wrote stating that he had “noted with regret” the attitude adopted by the Otamatea Council and asked for a reconsideration of their views, as other counties were co-operating in the scheme. After a short discussion, it was decided to forward to Mr W. P. Rankin, secretary to the fund, a copy of the Prime Minister’s, letter on the subject.