HELP FOR THE BLIND

Southland Times, Issue 18935, 23 September 1920, Page 4

HELP FOR THE BLIND

PETITION TO PARLIAMENT. A SYMPATHETIC RECEPTION. (bpec.al io tlie Times.) WELLINGTON, September 22, A petition signed by over 6000 persons praying that, legislation should be introduced this session providing assistance for blind people was discussed in the House to-day. A committee recommended thus (he petition mould lie refeired to the Government, for favourable consideration. A question of policy was involved, said tha chairman of the committee (Mr Wnght ■, but. the committee wished to express sympathy with the prayer of the petition. Mr G. Hunter ( Waipawai expressed his warm approval of the recommendation. No s.eclion of the community was more entitled to sympathetic attention than tha blind. He understood that, there were about 000 of these people in New Zealand, and he hoped that in-fore the end of the session the (doMTnmcni would make some provision for people who obviously were unable to do much for themselves. Ha was sure that the public would support the Government in a determination to see that (in; blind did not lack the means of subsistence.

f-evcral other member- aho urged the Government to d-al with the problem. Dr Newman (Wellington East) suggested that the Gi vcnniji-iit should secure tho services of exj wrU- in order that blind persons might lie trained in useful rotations. A high degree of training in main 1 occupations was pos-.ble, hur the necessary instiuction wa- difiu ul: to secure in this count ry. The report of the committee was approved.