CHURCH PLANS TO BRING BRIDES FROM HOLLAND

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27603, 9 March 1955, Page 14

CHURCH PLANS TO BRING BRIDES FROM HOLLAND

‘The Press" Special Service

NEW PLYMOUTH, March 8. There is a surplus of marriageable girls in Holland and a surplus of single Dutchmen in New Zealand. How to bring the two together is a problem being tackled by the Rev. P. H. de Bres, a Dutch minister of the P'resbyterian Church of New Zealand. Mr de Bres told a conference of Dutch immigrants at Eltham that a marriage bureau scheme was being considered, though it had not been worked out in detail because of various difficulties. Applications would be considered from men in New Zealand and girls in Holland, he said. Medical and

church reports would be prepared about each applicant. An analysis of character, approved by the applicant, would be worked out, and would be made available to the prospective partner. In initial correspondence between the parties, each would know only the other’s character and interests, but not identity, said Mr de Bres. That Would be disclosed if the two parties “fitted.” Correspondence could continue from that point. Mr de Bres said other churches would probably co-operate in the scheme being worked out by the Presbyterian Church.