WORKSHOPS FOR THE BLIND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20596, 21 June 1930, Page 16

WORKSHOPS FOR THE BLIND.

Sir, —In tho -April number of th£ Beacon, the organ of tho National Insti* tute for the Blind, London, the first placa is given in an article by S. W. Starling on blind -workshop administration and management. Toward the close of it the following passage occurs:—" I novr introduce a subject which, in my mind, is of extreme importance in the management of a blind workshop; that tho representation of the blind worked on the management committee. My con--tention is that the worker should hava the opportunity of taking part in any de-> liberations which concern his own welfare, and my experience goe3 to prove* that, given the right representation, nothing but good can rosult from this arrangement. Our institutions are for tha blind and wo hold our various appoint-* mcnts for the express purpose of promoting their welfare. Let us fully real is® this, and in a broad-minded manner ba prepared sympathetically to consider their point of view expressed in committee by their elected representative. Thus we» shall gain their confidence, and we' can rest assured that their kftowlcdgo of our difficulties will help to win their hearty co-operation." The writer of the abova was a member of the conference of managers of workshops for the blind called last year at the instigation of the Ministry of Health, so that his opinions are those of an expert; and, in any case, they seem consonant to common sense. It %vonld ba interesting to know what, the authorities of our autocratically-gov-erned local institute can find to say in opposition to them. It may be news, to some of your readers that the blind at tho Jubileo Institute havo no representation on the board of trustees, and, on tho other hand, no appeal against its decisions; in fact, they are not recognised, either in theory in tho constitution of the institute, or in practice in its administration, as having any rights at all. . M. Alois. June 19, 1930. Box 277, Auckland-