VOCATIONAL TRAINING.

Thames Star, Volume LXV, Issue 19350, 6 March 1935, Page 2

VOCATIONAL TRAINING.

A NATIONAL MOVEMENT.

LORD NUFFIELD’S HELP

(Special to Star).

WELLINGTON, March 6.

Lord Nuffield’s £50,000 gift for Neiv Zealand crippled children will enable a national movement to be immediately launched for effectively tackling the problem, as several years’ preliminary Avork has been completed. Dr. Alex Gillies, orthopaedic surgeon, Avho has taken a prominent part in inaugurating the movement, said that four years ago the Education Department made a survey of the schools, ascertaining that there were over 800 crippled children, distributed substantially in line Avith the population density. That Avas four years ago, and it was fortunate that there had been no infantile paralysis epidemic since, othenvise the numbers would have been largely increased. In any case, experience indicated that there Avas an annual addition of 500 children who suffer infirmity.

“The definite need for a systematic organisation in the interests of crippled children is due to the fact •that Avhile provision is made in some directions for their treatment, all cripples cannot at present take full advantage of it,” said Dr. Gillies. “The greatest problem commences when they reach the age of 14, for their mental health and happiness depends on providing them with useful occupation. It is therefore essential to have vocational training. New Zealand has no such organisation, though in Wellington Hospital there has been started an occupational therapy Avhieh is benefiting about 40 children. We have no solariums, which are so valuable in treatment. One was proposed for Auckland Hospital, but the expenditure Avas not approved; nor have Ave underAvater exercise pools, Avhieh would be an important asset for the treatment of infantile paralysis.” _ Dr. Gillies spoke appreciatively of the Rotary campaign, and concluded by saying: “Except for private philanthropy, the crippled child, after leaving school, has no recognised means of assistance. It has been nobody’s business, but this movement fills the gap, and, stimulated so splendidly by Lord Nuffield’s royal gift, is assured of a good permanent financial basis, Avhieh New Zealanders will generously supplement when they fully realise "the need and the value of the work.”