MUCH HOSPITALITY FOR CHILDREN AT PAHIATUA CAMP

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 15057, 18 August 1949, Page 3

MUCH HOSPITALITY FOR CHILDREN AT PAHIATUA CAMP

Growing Circle Of Friendships

Sports Equipment Sent By School Pupils

Now that they have overcome initial language difficulties and customs and established firm contacts with children in many parts of the Dominion, the children at the new .Settlers' camp at Pahiatua are taking advantage of the hospitality of private homes and proving a really fine advertisement both for the camp and their families. In fact, when a party of 13 boys between the ages of 1.0 and 17 spent a recent weekend in Palmerston North as the guests of the Palmerston North cadets of the New Zealand Red Cross, the visit was so successful that a similar number have been invited to spend a week of the school holiday in Palmerston North.

The interest being taken b.y the children of New Zealand in their newly-found cousins has been really remarkable. In Wanganui, for instance, steps are being taken to invite some of the children to spend the holidays in that city. In addition, weekend visits to homes and farms in the Wairarapa have done much to establish the children as firm favourites. Insight Into Farm Life An interesting point also is that these intimate experiences of New Zealand home and farm life have done much to reassure the _ new settlers that life on the farms is not the same drudgery or an occupation to be frowned on as it is often so regarded in Europe. In the growing circle of friendships already established, the contacts made by various Junior Red Cross branches throughout the Dominion with the camp children, through the medium of gifts, are proving an ideal introduction, and both parties are looking forward to the day in the not too distant future when they will renew these introductions in the various schools throughout the country. In other ways, too, the camp children have been made to feel that they are already classed as New Zealanders and that the initial welcome was no mere passing phase. From various parts of the country, particularly through the organisation of the Junior Red Cross, toys, clothing, shoes, knitting wool, material for pyjamas, and even .mending material are coming forward in good quantities, while pupils from some schools are sending sports equipment—footballs, football boots, and basketballs. Really Acceptable Much of the incentive for these gifts comes from the fact that the children are now finding out that their discarded toys and clothing are really acceptable and are bringing the new arrivals much happiness. That this is the case has been brought home to the children through a tour made recently to some of the smaller settlements in the South Island by the director of the Junior Red Cross for New Zealand (Miss P. Paterson), whose immediate plans now include a visit to one of the larger cities by some of the children, and the appeals through the branches for Christmas gifts for the children at Pahiatua. "Our Junior Red Cross branches are absolutely keen for them to come out into the schools and to take charge of them," said Miss Paterson, "and all are thrilled with the letters and postcards acknowledging the parcels being sent. This is particularly so with the children in the remote country schools, whose interest in the new arrivals is really wonderful." The rooms recently opened by the society at Pahiatua are also providing a useful liaison with the camp. The supply of clothing and shoes, and arrangements for outings for the settlers, are a part of each day's work. One of the attractions in the Pahiatua shopping centre at the moment is a display of Hungarian needlework. "It will make our girls a bit thoughtful," commented a welfare worker.