LIMBLESS EX-SOLDIERS ARE WELL CARED FOR BY AUSTRALIA

Wanganui Chronicle, 12 August 1946, Page 4

LIMBLESS EX-SOLDIERS ARE WELL CARED FOR BY AUSTRALIA

THEIR OWN INITIATIVE (P.A.) Wellington, Aug. 11. “Probably nowhere else is the limbless ex-serviceman so well provided for as in Australia," said the Australian High Commissioner, Mr. Cutler, addressing the annual meeting of the Wellington War Amputees’ Association. Mr. Culler said that after the 191418 war the Australian limbless ex-ser-vicemen, with characteristic independence, rejected any expressions of oversympathy and conscious of the good humour and comradeship which had existed between them while in hospital banded themselves together into a Limblss Soldiers’ Association so that they could help each other. He stressed that the happy position in which Australian limbless ex-ser-

vicemen found themselves was contributed to firstly by the generous, well-directed assistance of the Commonwealth Government and the Slate Governments, and secondly by the men themselves having one of the most active organisations. Mr. Cutler detailed the experiences of an Australian soldier after the loss of a limb in battle. Referring to treatment after his return to his home State he said exercises in hospital included plenty of swimming. He was visited by members of the Limbless Soldiers’ Association and by its ladies’ auxiliary. “Without his realising it, he began to take an even greater interest in his eventual rehabilitation, because he sees ex-servicemen who lost limbs before moving around quite naturally, and meets wives and daughters of these same men. As soon as the stump has shrunk sufficiently he is conveyed to the Repatriation Commission’s limb factory, where he receives individual attention from men who are themselves limbless returned servicemen. Invariably the limb-fitter assigned to look after an individual serviceman is one who has had a similar amputation to the patient, so that an above-knee amputee is fitted by a limb-fitter who is also an above-knee amputee.” Mr. Cutler said the machinery in the factories was very up to date. Employment of limbless men in factories—apart from the psychological effect on servicemen who recently had been disabled, provided good employment, with first-class conditions and pay. Recently three orthopoedic surgeons had studied the latest surgical methods in America, Canada and Britain,and technicians had been sent to these countries to investigate the manufacture of limbs and appliances. As a result of their inquiries many improvements had been introduced. The cardinal principle laid down by the Repatriation Commission was that each man, whatever his disability, was co leave the factory mentally happy and physically comfortable. Mr. Cutler said a limbless man, irrespective of his earning capacity, social standing, or assets, received a war pension by way of compensation for his war disability. The rate of war pension to a limbless ex-serviceman was 75s per fortnight, plus a further automatic allowance to cover weal and tear on clothing of fl per fortnight if the leg or arm were off below the knee or eibow. The wife received 33s per fortnight, and each child 13s 6d. All these payments were free of income tax.

Mr. Cutler referred to the contributions by the State Governments to the assistance of limbless ex-servicemen. For example, in New South Wales 90 per cent, of taxation on car registration was rebated to the legless ex-ser-servicemen, to whom travel on trams and Government -owned buses was free. Legless men travelling to work by train had f ce passes. The Sydney Harbour Ferries Company granted a similar courtesy for travel on ferries. There also were arrangements for the wearer of the Limbless Soldiers’ Association badge to go to the head of a queue at bus stops.

Mr. Cutler, in conclusion, pointed out that a majority of the benefits enjoyed in Australia had accrued mainly because limbless ex-servicemen of Australia had put personal time, effort and enthusiasm into their association which, as a result, was very virile and well organised, and believed in the principle of endeavouring to be as independent as possible. Mr. Cutler won the Victoria Cross in World War 11.