INQUIRY URGED FOR BENEFIT OF THE BLIND AT JUBILEE INSTITUTE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18890, 15 October 1929, Page 15

INQUIRY URGED FOR BENEFIT OF THE BLIND AT JUBILEE INSTITUTE.

(Special to the “Star"). WELLINGTON, October 14 A favourable report was returned in the House of Representatives to-night by the Public Petitions Committee on the petition of Morton Aldis, of Auckland, praying for an inquiry into the administration of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind. Mr Munns, United member for Roskill, pointed out that owing to the fact that people who subscribed to the upkeep of the institute were scattered throughout New Zealand, and so could not attend meetings, the same board of trustees were elected year after It was suggested that a small committee might be set up so that full inquiry might be made with a view to deciding whether the unfortunate blind inmates should have direct representation on the board. At present, said Mr Munns, blind people had no representation. He suggested that a committee comprising Auckland members of Parliament might consider the whole question during the recess. “Blind inmates feel that their interests are prejudiced because they have not got direct representation on the board,” said Mr Munns. “They do not ask that a blind person be appointed, but that someone who can see be placed on the board to represent them If an inquiry is held it would give satis faction or, at least, put an end to a grievance.” Mr Harris (Waitemata) paid a tribute to Mr Aldis as a man who had spent a large part of his life striving to better the conditions of the unfor tunate blind inmates. When an enthusiast of the Aldis type asked for an inquiry something should be done. Mr Harris hoped an inquiry would be held, so as to ascertain whether improvements could be effected.

The committee’s report with the recommendation that the petition be recommended to the Government for favourable consideration was adopted by the House without further debate.