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112
It would take time and money to develop these schemes on
such a scale as to absorb all the tuberculous, but surely it is more
rational to utilise a man's earning power, even though impaired,
than keep him in total unemployment.
Under the present scheme much expense is incurred in restoring
a man's health and working capacity, only to leave him
stranded. Would it not be more humane to complete the task and
find him work ? With his subnormal health he cannot compete
in the open market, and experience shows that we cannot look
to the private employer to give preference to the tuberculous,
for he not only has to consider whether he can afford to employ
sub-standard labour, but must also pay regard to the feelings of
his other employees, who may object to working in close daily
contact with a consumptive.
The Handicraft Class, run by the Hackney and Stoke Newington
Care Committee, makes no pretence of enabling patients
to earn a living, but rather to provide an interest to occupy their
minds and save them from brooding over their condition. It does,
however, provide a little in the way of pocket money, as all
articles made by the patients are sold, and after deducting the
cost of materials and a small percentage for expenses, the surplus
is paid over to the worker. The crafts taught are varied and
useful, and include leather, bead, basket, pewter work, and the
making of gloves and artificial flowers. The Class is in a sound
financial position, thanks to the assistance of the Alexandra Rose
Day Fund, the Inner Wheel of the Hackney Rotary Club and other
local bodies, and the support of the Mayors of Hackney and Stoke
Newington. Our main difficulty at present is the sale of the
goods, and we appeal again for further local support in this
direction.
W e are indebted to the Mayor and the Hackney Borough
Council for permission to hold a Sale at their Health Exhibition,
held in the Town Hall in September last. This exhibition, which
proved to be most instructive and interesting, attracted a large
number of people, and we are grateful for such an opportunity
to display our goods to the public.
The local charitable organisations have again given us valuable
help, and we are specially indebted to the Bethnal Green and
Hackney branches of the Invalid Children's Aid Association, for
sending a large number of our debilitated children to Convalescent
Homes in the country or at the seaside. The Charity Organisation
Society has assisted in the supply of instruments, dentures,
clothing, etc., and the National Association for the Prevention of
Tuberculosis, the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust, Jewish Hoard
of Guardians, Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen's Families Association,
Soldiers and Sailors Help Society, British Legion and United
Services Fund Benevolent Committees, and the British Red Cross
Society, have given financial assistance in necessitous cases.