BARNARDO BOYS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 49, 27 February 1908, Page 3

BARNARDO BOYS.

» VISIT TO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND.

AN INTERVIEW. A cable message rpecived on the 18th instant stated that Mr. W. J. Mayers, with ten boys from Dr. Barnardo's Homes, v ere to sail on the 21st instant on an Australasian musical tour in aid of the homes. According to Ihe British Weekly of loth January, a copy of which is just to hand, the paity is coming out by the Orient steamer Omrah.' The Rev. AY. J. Mayers, who is Senior Deputation Secretary of Barnardo's Homes, had an intimate knowledge of, ard friendship with, the late Dr. Barnardo, dating from 1871. It was m 1888, after ho had spoken at the annual meeting of the Homes, in Exet?r Hall, that Mr. Mayeis was asked by Dr. Barnardp to become his Deputation Secretary. He is nov.-, in addition, Honorary Free Church Chaplain of tho Stepney Boys' Home, and the flford Village Homes for Girls. In 1891, Mr. Mayers visited Australia at tho special request of Dr. Barnarclo, who had himself received many invitations to go to the Antipodes, out was unable to leave his post in London. There are many warm friends of the Homes in Australia a")d New Zealand who would much like «Jto see and hear the present director, ii.r. William Baker ; but he, also, is unable to undertake so long a journey. Mr. Mayers speaks with loyal enthusiasm of his present chief, and thinks that the institutions are to bs congratulated on having him as the successor of Dr. Barnardo. WELL TRAINED BOYS. In the courso of an interview, Mr, Mayers mentioned that he will take with him a party of ten trained boy», all of whom havo been rescued and educated' by the Homes, and who will give evidence at tho meetings of the benefits they have received by their music, action songs, and drill. As a resiilfc of tho visit in 1891, £10,000 was added to the exchequer of tho Homes, and it is hoped that this year's tour will be even more successful. The meetings will begin in Western A.ustralia. about tho end of March, and in Kon f h Australia about a month lator. Tho treasurer of the institution, My. Howard Williams, hopes to make such arrangements as shall spare tho general fund from bearing the expenses of this special visit. DETAILS OF THE TOUR. "My chief purpose," said Mr. Mayers, "is to keep our numerous subscribers and friends in touch with the progress of the work since Dr. Barnardo's death ; but I shall also make enquiries in each of tho States, and in New Zen land, as to the possibility of sending out, some children there. Wo have splendid openings in Canada, and cuuld placo more children than we aro able to send. Wo are receiving many applications from j Australia and New Zealand from people / who are willing to receive the children, if only we are willing to send them. I We should not, hbwover, care to let our j young people go so far unless there { were security that they would bo looked | after. It may be found possible 'to es- I tablish a private organisation which will be responsible for tho children's welfare. New Zealand wants lads and girls, especially for dairy work, and it is i» 1 the country districts rather than in the I city that the healthiest conditions would I be found." Mr. Mayers is taking introductions to all the Governors and Premiers, and to the nuptatop} of ths various churches. On his previous visit ' ho* had several interviews with Sir Henry Parkes, and scayod with tho G.O.M. of New Zealand, Sir William Fox, These nave passed away, and tho leaders of public lifp belong io a younger generation. In South Australia Mr. Charles Goode, who is very prominent on tho committee of the State Children's Association, is a warm friend of Dr.' Barnavdo's institutions, and his. help will bo valuable to Mr. Mayers. It is an interesting fact that one of Dr. Barnardo's old boys, the Hon. flames Page, 13 now a member of the Federal Parliament. He is a Labour member, and is highly esteemed, by his colleagues. Another, old boy, now prospering in South Africa, wrote ( to Mr. Page, on hearing of his election, and offered him financial holn if lie needed it; but ' Mr. Page was able, while thanking his old rhum, , to assure him that he did not require assistance. "Wo shall open our work at Perth," said Mr. Mayers, "and I hope that tho Governor may preside over our first meeting. Our programme will follow the lines of the meetings I have been accustomed to address in England. The chief feature will be an account of the work, and this will be intnrspersed with musical pieces by tho boys. I expect to be absent from England for a full year, at least, and possibly longer." Tho institutions (remarks tho Britisn Weekly) could have no more admirable representative on such a t,6ur than the Senior Deputation Secretary. The cnarming personality of Mr. Mayers, his oratorical gifts, his intimate acquaintance with every detail of the organisation, and, last but not least, his deep love and long-standing friendship for Dr. Barnarrdo, will insure the success of his journey, and commend his arguments to the Australian public.