ENGLISH WAR BABIES

Evening Star, Issue 18158, 26 December 1922, Page 9

ENGLISH WAR BABIES

« "4* UNUSUAL IMMIGRATION SCHEME. SHIPMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN. One of the-most remarkable immigration schemes yet broached is, under consideration by the State Government (saya the Sydney‘Daily Telegraph’). ' Briefly, tho -idea, ns -to• bring_ a large number of young children, including “war babies’ and other orphans. The proposal hao been officially brought under the notice of the State Government by the Federal authorities, who inturn have been approached by the Imperial Government. There are at present in England many thousands of orphan children, for whom it is impossible to make proper provision. Tho war is largely responsible for so many children being thrown on the mercy of charity, and the view is expressed that they deserve better opportunities than would be offered in orphanages and other institutions. 'Hie official document states that some of tho children come within tho category known as “ war babies,” but naturally this identity would bo sunk if they could be adopted into Australian familiesIn other cases, tho children are of the same class as tho State children in New South Wales. That is, they are cither orphans, or have been given up by their parents, for reasons of poverty or other causes. , , , . ~ . . Should- tho scheme be adopted, it is intended that the children should bo dealt, with iu two ways.

The'most, favored scheme is that families should be asked to adopt tho children for love, as ia now done m tho case of young State children. The other proposal is that, in the case of slightly eider the_ State should take the responsibility of training them. It is anticipated! that most success would bo obtained by the scheme The children would grow up as natives of tho State, and as each would make tho most desirable citizens. . If the State is willmg to fall in with lire scheme no time will bo lost m bringing out the children. ... It is proposed to lit up a special steamer, so ae to accommodate 300 of the children, and this vessel would make as many vovases no desired. . None of the children will be under sis months old, and the majority will bo under sis years, and comparatively little expense to tho Government will bo involved.