It would be hard to exaggerate the possible importance - of
a new body, the British Empire Society for. the Blind, whose forma- tion is announced this week. Several points about it strike one at once. One is the immensity of the need for such work as the Society hopes to carry on in colonial dependencies ; it is estimated that there are at least a million blind in British Africa ; what can be done for them is not yet clear, but preventive work can in time effect an immense reduction in the total. Secondly, the enterprise represents an interesting and most hopeful piece of co-operation between a voluntary body, the National Institute for the Blind in this country, and the Colonial Office. Thirdly, and by no means least important, Mr. W. McG. Eagar, who has just retired from the post of Secretary-General of the National Institute of the Blind after twenty-one years' invaluable service, will be one of the members (and on the technical side much the most experienced member) of the Executive Council of the new body. This is a venture of the highest possible interest and importance.
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