DISABLED SOLDIERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3315, 26 September 1917, Page 21

DISABLED SOLDIERS

TEACHING NEW ACTIVITIES. A SCHEME OF EQUIPMENT. (From Our Own Correspoxdknt.) LONDON, July 10. Mr I. W. Raymond (Invercargill), as a member of the executive, committee and chairman of the Hospitality Committee of the New Zealand War Contingent Association, has taken a keen interest in the question of technical training for disabled soldiers.

In an interview with the London correspondent of the Otago Daily Times he saidt "There is no more pressing problem await' ing solution. It is not ono that can bo pigeon-holed until after the war, but must be faced now and dealt with._ The men are not-only wasting valuable time, but idleness begets habits not conducive to their well-being. The fact has to be realised that our limbless and functionally weak men have the greater part of their lives still before them. They can do much to help themselves, but the State must show them the way and give them all the help possible, so as to encourage them to acquire a calling that will preserve their independence. The /men themselves have to consider whether their future years are going to be spent in moderate comfort and independence for the benefit of themselves and their country, or whether thov are merely going to stagnate. They feel keenly the loss they Jiave suffered, and generally are rather ' fed up " with things. I have, had several interviews, with them collectively, and they seem quite satisfied that the Government Is most desirous to fit them out with the best artificial substi; tutes obtainable and will do whatever else is reasonable in tlwir interests. There .is, however, a conflict of interests which tends to shroud the true perspective. As beq space in the hospitals is scarce, it is natural that the hospital authorities wish such cases as these moved on as speedily as possible. On the other hand, it is most desirable that these patients should have the best attention while having their limbs fitted, and this can best be done at Oatlands. It is a fatal mistake to hurry the men to the dominion before their artificial limbs have been thoroughly tested, as apart from the severed limb, the ordinary health of the patient is usually good, and after a little time in hospital they are anxious to have some sorb of light occupation which they can do in bed, such as making baskets, etc. As soon as they are able to walk about, and while waiting for their limbs, they should be given the means of acquiring proficiency in a calling that they can turn to profitable account on their return. I go further, and say it is the duty of the Government to keep these cases" here until they have acquired proficiency, providing they diligently exert themselves and are ' favourably reported upon. They then return to the dominion skilled in some branch which will ensure their earning a good living. PRACTICAL STEPS.

"With the object of giving practical effect to tho above views, certain members of the executive of the N.Z.W.C.A. personally saw General Richardson and offered to find the necessary amount to erect a suitable school of instruction and provido instructors. This was over six months ago. The matte? hung fire, but recently the offer has been renewed, and General Richardson is now co- ! operating with the N.Z.W.C.A. to give • effect to the scheme. The difficulty was t that the authorities had no intention of j compelling the patients to engage in any I occupation, and they themselves did not seem disposed to do so voluntarily. There were, moreover, many minds among the patients as to avocations _ they might engage in, and the proposition was rather hedged round with difficulties. "In. a conference with General Richardson I expressed the view that, as a civilian, and personally known to a good many of the patients, I should discuss matters with them. This he readily accented to. He had had several conferences with them, and they expressed to mo their appreciation of the trouble he was taking on their • l>elialf. In Colonel Acland and Colonel Mill, also, the patients havo two officers who are most anxious to further their interests m every way. When I met the men at Oatlands I pointed out their - personal obligations to do everything possible to keep themselves in healthv employment .while waiting for treatment here. I assured tnem ' that the authorities cf the N.Z.W.C.A. would halt at nothing that would place within their reach the power to become proficient in some avocation that would enable them to earn a livelihood apart from their pension. I furtheT assured them that the fear which some of them had expressed, that their future earning capacity might bo used as a lever to reduce their pension, wag groundless, but on that they could obtain a definite commitment from the Prime Min- - ister. I stated that I proposed to throw the responsibility on tho patients themselves by asking them to appoint a committee of seven who would confer with their comrades and submit a workable scheme whereby the offer of the authorities and the association could bo fully availed of. Thia they agreed to do. and I was glad to observe quite a new interest on the part of the patients towards the proposal of extending assistance to them. I am very hopeful of a practical outcome of the present efforts." Since the above interview, and a meeting of the executive of the N.Z.W.C.A., Mr Raymond (who was acting-chairman in the absence of Lord Plunket) stated that 60 men had indicated their willingness to take up certain work. Colonel Acland had sent him a list of the equipment necessary, and ho had obtained an offer for the erection of a building at a cost of £7OO. He recommended that a special committee be appointed to look after this work, which was done, and £IOOO was voted so as to enable the committee to proceed at onco.