GEORGE V MEMORIAL FUND

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 191, 10 May 1937, Page 10

GEORGE V MEMORIAL FUND

Appeal by President of Labour Party An appeal to the members of the Labour Party and trade unionists to support the King George V National Memorial was made by Mr. James Roberts, president of the New Zealand Labour Party, in an interview on Saturday. .Mr. Roberts said that the memorial which had been proposed was particularly fitting. In his opinion, the real test of a nation’s economic and social status rested on three things: Its provision fop the old folk, its treatment of its women, and its attitude toward the children. In the health camp movement New Zealanders were recognising their obligations to the children, and he was sure that everyone, irrespective of party or creed, would recognise this as their first duty. “The children arc our first consideration,” said Mr. Roberts, “and anything that can be done to eliminate suffering and increase their health and happiness has inv fervent support. Few New Zealanders realise that this country, in common with 53 other nations, is bound by a declaration which has rightly become known as the Children’s'Charter. This declaration was signed bj- the members of the League of Nations at the General Assembly in Geneva in 1924, and I think that it is fitting that, during this present appeal, it should be brought under the notice of the public. The declaration reads as follows: — (1) The child must be given the means for its normal development, both materiallj’ and spiritually. (2) The child that is hungry must be fed; the child that is sick must be nursed; the child that is backward must be helped; the delinquent child must be reclaimed; aud the orphan and the waif must be sheltered and succoured. (3) The child must be the first to receive relief in times of distress. (-4) The child must be put in a position to earn a livelihood and must be protected against everj- form of exploitation. (5) The child should be brought up in the consciousness that its Mlents are to be useful in the service of its fellow men. “Let us work together to realise to the full the letter and the spirit of this declaration,” said Mr. Roberts. “The memorial to tlie late King gives its an opportunity to play our part toward fulfilling the ideals of the Charter in this Dominion, and I am sure that it will appeal to all members of the Labour Party and trade unionists.”