PARLIAMENT FUTURE OF THE CHILDREN

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 September 1946, Page 2

PARLIAMENT FUTURE OF THE CHILDREN

Discussion in the House Free to Settle in New . Zealand (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 18. The future of the Polish evacuee children was discussed in the House of Representatives to-night during consideration of the estimate of expenditure of the Internal Affairs Department. The Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, expressed the opinion that these children would have better prospects in New Zealand than they would have in Poland. He voiced the hope that they would all remain in the Dominion. The matter was raised by Mr E. Corbett (Oppn.). He said he felt that New Zealand’s efforts on behalf of these Polish children were a small contribution to that which this country could well make to the stand which Poland took for democracy. One thing which always evoked his appreciation of the Prime Minister was the stand which Mr Fraser had taken in defence of these Polish evacuees. Excellent Citizens Polish settlers had made excellent citizens in this Dominion, said Mr Corbett, and he felt that these children now in the Polish evacuee camp would be an equally valuable acquisition to the Dominion. Mr Fraser cordially concurred with what Mr Corbett had said about the Polish settlers. It was gratifying that so many New Zealand homes had already been thrown open to these children from the Polish camp, who had suffered great hardships. Polish troops, said Mr Fraser, had fought alongside of the New Zealanders, and, when you were comrades in arms, quite apart from the humanitarian instincts of this country, it engendered a feeling of special responsibility. He had frequently been asked how long the camp would continue, whether these, Polish evacuees would be welcome irr New'Zealand homes. He felt that there were sufficient Catholic homes which would welcome the children. Mr Corbett: Many Protestant homes would welcome the children, and preserve their faith. Impracticable at Present Mr Fraser explained that it was not the wish of the Polish authorities that these cihldren should go into New Zealand homes at present. He frankly felt that home life was superior to anything else for the children, but, at the moment, that was impracticable. Mr Fraser said that matters at the Polish camp were going very smoothly. A number of the children had taken up employment. He, personally, hoped that these children would remain in this country, where they would have opportunities better than could be seen for them in Poland. The Government, in doing everything possible for these Poles, was expressing the Dominion’s wishes. There were about 700 children and 101 adults in the- carnp. The parents of some of the children would be coming to New Zealand. statementby prime MINISTER (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 18. Rapid strides in the recovery of their health and in their education have been made by the 735 Polish children who arrived in New Zealand in December, 1944, said the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, in a statement to-night. Mr Fraser said that the senior Polish representative 1 in the camp was Mr Zaleski, v/ho arrived recently from South Africa, after having had experience in the management of the Polish children s camps there. It had been decided recently to ciose the Polish secondary school in the camp and all of the secondary studies ■ would be undertaken in New Zealand schools. Mr Fraser stated that the Catholic Bishbps had provided facilities for the children of secondary school standard to attend Catholic secondary schools throughout New Zealand. Nine New Zealand teachers were employed in the camp. Through their attendance at the New Zealand secondary schools, said Mr Fraser, the children would gain an appreciation of New Zealand customs and thought, and would equip themselves to take a useful part m New Zealand life, should they elect to remain here. . Forty-eight of the Polish children were now being employed outside of the camp. Boys were engaged in farming, the tailoring, and in the motoring trade, and also in the footwear industry. Girls were engaged in nursing, in dressmaking and in hairdressing. . Within the camp, nine of the boys were employed as boot repaii apprentices, and also on gaidening, duties, while 25 of the girls were employed as seamstresses, as nursing aids, and as hairdressers, and also in the kitchens. “It is not possible,” said Mr Fraser, “to say whether the Polish children will remain in New Zealand, or whether they will return to their own country. This is a ’question for them to decide, when they reach the age of discretion . Those who elect to settle permanently in New Zealand will be welcomed, while those who choose to return to Poland will be enabled to do so.” MR. SEMPLEAND HIS TENYEAR PLANS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 18. Some misconception appeared to have arisen about the meaning of the regional programmes prepared by the planning division of the Ministry of Works, said the Minister of Works (Mr. Semple) in the Public Works statement presented in the House of Representatives yesterday. It was intended that the schedules convey some indication of major construction works which were regarded as likely to require consideration within 10 years. They did not commit the Government or other authority to undertake all the works enumerated before the. end of 10 years.