DISABLED SERVICEMEN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20292, 28 December 1927, Page 12

DISABLED SERVICEMEN.

HOW THEY ARE EMPLOYED IN BRITAIN. IMPERIAL INSTITUTE EXHIBITION DISABILITIES DEFIED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, November 11. During this armistice week it is fitting the public should be reminded of the efforts being made by disabled ex-soldiers to earn an adequate living or to supplement their meagre pensions. An exhibition of their work is being held at the Imperial Institute, and the director (Lieutenant-general Sir William Furse) hopes to make it an annual feature. Among the visitors soon after the opening were the King and Gueen, who purchased something at every stand. The Duke and Duchess of York visited the exhibition on another day. Everywhere people find specimens of highly-finished work which can hold its own against that done by men who have had the advantage of early training in their crafts and of freedom from physical infirmity.

When these industries were first started a certain deficiency in workmanship was met by public patriotism. Now, however, no appeal is made to sentiment, Tho men produce the goods which are able to compete with all others in the field, and the only appeal they make is that their productions should be known. Throughout the work is of a high standard. The workshops represented were 4000, with 20,000 ex-service men employed. Lord Roberts’s Workshops are well known, and the work produced by St. Dunstan’s men is also known. These, of course, have their excellent exhibits, but on an occasion like this one learns of numbers of other industries run by disabled men throughout the country. For instance, there is the Ex-servicemen’s Valeting Company, a business hitherto carried on mainly by foreigners. Thirtyfour men are at present employed, and their fame is growing in the West End. One officer of the Guards tried them for his civilian clothes, and within a very short time 20 other Guards’ officers followed his example. ‘They collect and deliver in every part of London, and for every additional 100 customers another disabled man is employed.

Disabled men at Bournemouth have banded together and turn out excellent cabinet work. Two men—one who previously pushed a fishmonger’s barrow—have developed into passable artists and produce attractive hand-painted bric-a-brac. Major-general Sir Harry Brooking takes his coat off and works with the men every morning. Under the Red Cross at Eastbourne is a convalescent home where severely disabled men are still housed. In the grounds there are workshops where the men knit socks and stockings, and are able to make £2 a week at the business. An organisation at Cambridge makes wickery, cane, and rush basket work, mattresses, and knitted garments. Their baskets are especially good and the prices are more than reasonable. Most striking work is shown by Disabled Soldiers’ Embroidery Industry, an organisation with its centre in London. Branches are all over the country, and experts teach the men (who are mainly confined to their homes) the work of embroidery. It gives them the best interest in life—a hobby. The work ranges from garden aprons, weeding mats, and cushions to church embroidery of beautiful and elaborate design. SINGING FOR SHELL,SHOCKED MEN

Embroidery is also done by the shellshocked men under the care of the Vocal Therapy Society. This is a remarkable organisation which ‘ sets itself to restore the health of shell-shocked men by means of music and. song. Men from the Star and Garter at Richmond, from Eden Manor Home at Beckenham, and other homes are organised into choirs and give concerts at various places. Many of them cannot speak perfectly, but by means of song they gradually get back their powers of speech. A London centre has been started for men who have been discharged from hospital. The idea is that these men, having some place to go to away from their own uncomfortable surroundings—somewhere to practise singing, which assists them tremendously physically and morally—are guarded from a relapse and a return to hospital. In Edinburgh disabled men are employed in what is known as the Blighty industries, where hand-weaving is carried on. Women, all of whom are the dependants of men lost in the mine sweepers, ar e employed to knit Shetland wool, and some handsome Shetland garments are the result. The Cambrian factory in Wales turns out hand-woven tweeds made from the wool of Welsh sheep. Salisbury has a similar hand-weaving institution.

Nothing is more attractive than me work of “ Painted Fabrics, Limited.” The scheme is the outcome of the work first established at the Wharncliffe War Hospital “ arts and crafts classes.” Among th e subjects taught was what is now called painted fabrics. It was found that this could be done even by men who had lost both their hands. Mrs Carter began the classes in 1915, and after the war the industry was turned into a money-making affair, and now at a place called Woodseats, Sheffield, there is a model village where disabled men may work and live with their families. Mrs Carter designs the stencils and the men cut out the stencils and apply the colours. They are paid at Is an hour and are able to earn 42s a week to supplement their pensions. The firm was started without capital, but now, without charitable assistance, it has grown into a substantial company with accumulated capital, and able to carry out the orders of large firms. Moreover, tho men find pleasant employment and happy surroundings in their own village. TUBERCULAR CENTRES.

Enham Industries, Papworth Industries and Preston Hall, Aylesford, Kent, represent the group of tuberculosis homes, and the output for manufactured articles is a very large one. The principle of cure is to keep th e men employed in healthy surroundings according to their ability. Cabinet work can compete with any in the outside market. Leather work is excellent, and printing is artistically done. A very large trade is carried on in portable buildings for garages, farm use, and general use, about 50 different kinds of houses being made. All work done is on an economic basis, and the results are sold in open competition. At Preston a number of the men are breeding Angora rabbits, and they find a profit in supplying pedigree animals to people all over the country. Lord Robcrtss’ works are run on a purely business basis, and the great output of cabinet work provides employment for hundreds of men who have their homes in a great block of flats opposue tho factory. The war blinded craftsmen of St. Dunstan’s produce baskets, trays, mats, netting, and even cabinet work. Finally, Ashstoad Pottery is a name that is becoming well known. How Sir Lawrence and the late Lady Weaver got together the men and the money that was needed to buy the factory, install the plant, train the workers, and tid e over the bad times is a long and interesting story. Now the Ashstoad Potteries is a going concern, and the disabled men are turning out articles which have an individuality known and appreciated by all who admire artistic and attractive designs. A New Zealander is one of the furnacemen at the works.

RACING OFFICIAL FAREWELLED.

A very pleasant function recently took place when a prominent racing official was farewellecl prior to leaving the country. In the course of the evening, when the air was blue with smoko, he rose to make reply: “Gentlemen.” he said, “I see around mo to-night many happy faces._ I hope it's not because I'm going away.” Xo! The majority were smoking Bears' Tobacco, the favourite Virginian blend Try it. too. it’s a delicious smoke! 8d an ounce loose; and in heedv packets, loz 9d, 2oz Is Od.—Advt-