SCHEME TO HALT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 262, 3 October 1940, Page 7

SCHEME TO HALT

CHILDREN FROM BRITAIN.

TRANSPORT TOO RISKY

(United Press Association —Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 10 a.m.) RUGBY, Oct. 2. The British Government- has announced its decision that no more children can be sent overseas under the Children’s Overseas Reception Scheme until further notice.

The Government states: “The recent sinking of vessels carrying children overseas has illustrated the dangers to which passenger vessels are exposed even when in convoy under the weather conditions now prevailing in the Atlantic, and the Government has come reluctantly to the conclusion that during the winter season, with gales and heavy seas, it cannot take the responsibility of sending children overseas under the Government scheme. “The Government recognises that keen disappointment will be felt by parents who hoped to be able to send their children overseas under the scheme, and expresses its warm thanks, to the very many people in the Dominions and the United States who have so generously offered hospitality to children from the vulnerable areas of Britain.”

“The Government is sure, however, that our friends and kinsfolk overseas will be the first to appreciate that the Government’s decision has been taken solely out of consideration for the best interests of the children themselves. Although the operation of the scheme is suspended for the time being it is not abandoned.

“The question of whether the board will be able to resume operations next year must turn on the conditions then obtaining. Some 2650 children have already gone overseas under-the scheme and the parents of these children may be assured there is no suspension of the arrangements made for. their welfare in their new homes,” adds the statement