EVACUEE CHILDREN

Grey River Argus, 18 July 1940, Page 3

EVACUEE CHILDREN

PLENTY OF SHIPS

Navy Not Available

fßritish Ofi'’^" 1 Wireless I. RUGBY, July 16.

The Lord Privy Seal (Rt. Hon. C. R. Attlee), announcing in the House of Commons that the Government has reluctantly postponed the operation of the scheme for the passage of children overseas, until the situation at sea enabled them to provide naval escort for the ships employed foil this purpose, said that unfortunate y a radical change had occurred m me situation since applications were first invited, as the result of the loss of the service of a large part of the French Fleet. . Mr. Attlee said that the fate oi the Arandora Star showed that the safety of even a fast vessel could not be guaranteed, without a naval escort. If children were evacuated by other means, the Government would not assume the responsibility. Those already evacuated had done so without escort. Mr. Attlee explained that the Government would have no difficulty in providing sufficient tonnage of shipping needed to carry the children. He added that a certain number of children were going in future aboard convoyed vessels, of whom between 3 000 and 4,000 would be from grantaided schools, under various private schemes formulated by the United States and Dominion authorities. APPRECIATION of offers. ■ Mr. Attlee added that in the present circumstances it was essential to concentrate on Britain’s security. He assured those in the Dominions, who had so wholeheartedly co-oper-ated in making provision for children, that the Government keenly appreciated their generosity, and deeply regretted the inconvenience which the postponement of „ the scheme was bound to cause, and to those also in the United States, who had spared no effort to provide homes for Butish children. “I would like to express .on behalf, of the Government, the warmest thanks. I hope our scheme is only temporarily suspended and we may yet be able to take advantage’of that large-hearted generosity.” .' Coast Offers The Greymouth Borough Council, as the West Coast zone controlling body, has received applications from persons who are willing to take 22 o the British child evacuees. Ihe applications are from the following centres:—Greymouth six, Moana four, Hokitika three, Cobden two, Blackball two, Blaketown, Kaiata. Kokiri, Ruru and Ahaura one each.