CRIPPLED CHILDREN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22071, 29 March 1935, Page 12

CRIPPLED CHILDREN

NATIONAL ORGANISATION NEW SOCIETY FORMED AIMS OF. DOMINION ROTARY In announcing to the Wellington Rotary Club that four of the trustees selected to administer the Nuffield Trust for the benefit of crippled children in New Zealand are the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, Sir James Grose,.Mr. J. M. A. Ilott and Mr, C, J. B. 'Norwood, it was stated by Mr. F, Campbell Spratt that the consideration and care of crippled children was no new thing for Rotary in New Zealand. It was only in the last three weeks, however, that the movement had sprung into full life. On the morning after their return from the Timaru conference, where a constitution had been drafted for tho New Zealand Crippled Children's Society, members were amazed to read of Lord Nufficld's magnificent gift of £60,000, which had delighted them all, said Mr. Spratt. Tho gift meant some recasting of tho constitution of the New Zealand Society—a broadening of its basis," so to speak. That had been done, and arrangements made for the incorporation of the society. It was considered at Timaru that a general committee would have to be formed on a basis of organisation, and it was decided that this committee should consist of the 22 Rotary Clubs in New Zealand, the Mayors of the four chief centres, whose co-operation was assured; and in addition, there should be a central executive consisting of Rotary and others, the names agreed upon being Messrs. J. M. A. Ilott, C. J. B. Norwood, Sir Alexander Roberts,, Dr. Alex Gillies, Dr. F. T. Bowerbank, Dr. Stanley Foster, Messrs. S. L. P. Free, Harry Anderson, F. Campbell and F. Campbell Spratt. Basis of Citizenship

Mr. Spratt said that this committee would necessarily be only a temporary one, owing to the national basis now proposed for the society. He also emphasised that the society was only Rotarian in birth and its subsequent control and administration would be that of a national organisation on the broad basis of citizenship. The Nuffield Trust, Mr. Spratt said, was a thing apart. Lord Nuffield had placed the money for crippled children solelv in the hands of Mr. C. J. B. Norwood, but as the administration of such a fund would be a burden, Mr. Norwood very wisely desired to share that burden with others. It would be the duty of the trustees to, invest the money, as it was not intended to trench upon the capital, except in certain cases which were provided for in the deed of trust. Holding Office Continuously The trustees would hold office continuously. Four had'been selected and another was yet to be appointed. Mr. Spratt added that in regard to local or branch societies it was hoped to co-opt all men and women of goodwill. Th« annual fee would bo 5s and for life membership, £5 ss. The duties of the local committees would be to keep in touch with hospitals, hospital boards, health camps, girl guides and boy scouts activities, to attend to transport and vocational education and finally, to secure for every cripple the chance of & job. Mr. Spratt said that in regard to crippled children the Government had been •doing a great job, and it was intended to interfere in any way. The desire was rather to amplify it and fill up the gap;*.