BOYS FROM BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 22, 20 October 1944, Page 4

BOYS FROM BRITAIN

Government Approves Scheme The .Salvation Army's proposal to bring but from Britain to New Zealand 50 jjoys between the ages of 10 and 17 years has been approved by the Government. The plan, which Commissioner J. Evan Smith recently described as “a first small but practical step.toward the solution of New Zealand’s grave population problem.” will be carried out as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made in Britain and shipping is available. • In a letter to Commissioner Smith, the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, says that the Government has no objection to the Army’s “very worthy proposal.” He adds that he lias asked the High Commissioner for New Zealand in London, Mr. J. W. Jordan, to communicate with the Salvation Army’s international head.quarters and afford whatever facilities he can. Commissioner Smith said yesterday that he had sent a cablegram to General G. Carpenter in London, asking him to put the scheme in motion. No doubt he would contact the British Government and thou proceed to select the boys. "This is only a small beginning, but, if it is successful, it is hoped that a much more comprehensive scheme for the immigration of young people to New Zealand will he developed,” said Commissioner Smith. “People at hist are coming to realize that without more population Newt Zealand cannot hope to progress or, indeed. to preserve its national, economic and social security. Commissioner Smith emphasized that the boys would be trained at the Salvation Army’s farm at Putaruru before being placed in employment and would continue to receive care and guidance till they reached adult age.