CHILDREN FROM HOME

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 30, 3 August 1940, Page 7

CHILDREN FROM HOME

PREPARATIONS BEING

MADE

RECEPTION IN DOMINION

In spite of the fact that the scheme for sending British children between the ages of five years and 16 to the Dominion has been temporarily suspended, preparations for the reception of the children in New Zealand are still going on. The Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) said last night that cabled dispatches were still being exchanged between the United Kingdom Government and the New Zealand Government as consideration of different matters in relation to the children to be evacuated became necessary.

New Zealand families, said the Minister, had nominated over 3000 children, mostly the children of relatives and friends in England, to be brought to the Dominion. Offers had also been received from New Zealand parents which would mean a home for 5000 unspecified children.

"All the nominations and offers to take children," Mr. Parry said, "have been sent forward to the United Kingdom Government through Mr. W. J. Jordan, the High Commissioner for New Zealand in London. Had there not been a temporary postponement of the scheme it would not be over-estimating the patriotism and sympathy of our people to say that there would have been hundreds, if not thousands, more offers received by the Government to care for any of the children brought to these shores for safety. Ther.e has not been the slightest cavilling over this scheme —it has had a spontaneous and remarkable reception by the people which redounds to their spirit .of patriotism."

Mr. Parry said many very fine letters had been received from New Zealanders in which they made their offers to take the evacuated children. "The high sense of feeling and patriotism shown in the letters," the Minister added, "would kindle the hearts and minds of all who read them."