BRITISH CHILDREN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20378, 15 October 1940, Page 6

BRITISH CHILDREN

SPLENDID ASSISTANCE i TRIBUTE FROM MINISTER LULL IN EVACUATIONS The splendid assistance given by the Gisborne committee and others throughout the Dominion for the reception of children evacuated from the United Kingdom ljas earned the praise of the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry. Writing to the Mayor, Mr. D. W. Coleman, M.P., the Minister stated that without the co-operation of the local authorities it would have been difficult to put the scheme into practical effect, but throughout New Zea land the response had been very helpful, resulting in an organisation capable of handling large numbers ot children. “The splendid assistance you and your committee afforded the Government, in company with others throughout the Dominion, makes it evident that if children arrive in large numbers after the European winter no difficulty will be experienced in placing many thousands of them,” the Minister added. “The response to the New Zealand Government’s appeal for homes for British children was really remarkable, and in view of the unlikelihood of large numbers of children reaching the Dominion for some considerable time, it is felt that no useful purpose would be served by receiving further offers of accommodation in the meanwhile.” It was mentioned that because the number of children reaching the Dominion was so small all centres did not receive children, but when the scheme was resumed every endeavour would be made to allocate children from the first parties to reach New Zealand to those zones which received none from the two which arrived recently. On the resumption of the scheme, further offer.; of accommodation would be invited, and nominations would be accepted as the homes held over were absorbed.