REFUGEE CHILDREN

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 210, 2 June 1944, Page 4

REFUGEE CHILDREN

Party Of Seven Hundred Poles For New Zealand CAMP IN PAHIATUA AREA An offer by the New Zealand Government to provide hospitality in New Zealand for a number of Polish refugee children was announced yesterday by the Actiiig-tt’rime Minister, Mr. Sullivan.. He said that this offer had been gratefully accepted by the Polish Government, aud arrangements were now in .train for a party of children, accompanied by the necessary staff, to proceed to New Zealand immediately transport could be arranged. The total number of the party to come to New Zealand would, it was understood, be about 760 persons. The large majority would be children and the balance would consist of doctors, nurses, chaplain, teachers, cooks and camp maintenance staff. Some few of the children might be accompanied by their mothers. ”A camp in the Pahiatua area has been selected as a home for the party,” said Mr. Sullivan. “It will offer amenities of a reasonably high standard, and some modifications will be made to ensure that it will meet all reasonable requirements that can be foreseen. The camp will include a church, as well as a modern school built of pre-fabricated sections to designs which have been adopted by the Education Department. “The New Zealand Government has informed the Polish authorities that it will arrange for the provision of all necessary capital equipment, while responsibility for maintenance costs will also be accepted by the Government, subject to discussion on questions of detail with the Polish authorities. “I feel that it will give particular gratification to all citizens of the Dominion to know that a number of Polish refugee children arc coming to this country. Many of the children are orphaned; others have been separated from their parents and do not know whethei they are alive or dead. The children have suffered great privations, but the conditions which will be provided for them here should ensure that they will regain their full health. I know that every man and woman in this Dominion will assist the Government in seeing that the well-being and comfort of is secured in every way possible.” The Acting-Prime Minister said in conclusion that he had received by cable from London the following message of thanks from M. Jan Stanczyk, Minister of Social Welfare in the Polish Government: “On learning that , your Government has offered hospitality to Polish refugees, I should like to express to. you heartfelt gratitude for the magnificent help you are giving to the Poles who, as a result of the war, are. so sorely tried and are in such a tragic position. I wish to convey’ thanks not only in my own name as Minister of Labour and 'Social Welfare, but also in that of the Polish Government and /if all Poles who will not forget the noble way in which you have come to the help of their countrymen, and in particular to the help of children whom the fate of war has expelled from their own country.” The Polish Government has appointed Countess Wodzicka as Delegate in New Zealand of the Polish Ministry of Social Welfare, and she will deal with questions concerning the organization of the camp and the eventual reception of the children and staff.