HOMES FOR BRITISH CHILDREN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 21 June 1940, Page 6

HOMES FOR BRITISH CHILDREN

[To The Editor] Sir, —The appeal by the Mayor to citi- j zens of Nelson and district to provide homes for. British children, published! in your issue of 20th June, calls forj the full sympathy of all. Here is a I chance for some real patriotic service. ■ and may.l suggest that it is a splendid! opportunity for all those who so 're- j cently fell over themselves,‘metaphoric-1 ally speaking to help foreign refugees 1 viz., Spanish aWd"Chinese! ’ Let us hope! the same zeal- for our own kith and j kin in the Motherland will now be equalled or bettered. I note that the signatures on the, petition are to be grouped under three | classifications. I regret that these are' not elastic enough to embrace those! who' for many reasons would like, to help for short periods or go 50-50 : with ! neighbours or relations in the care of j a child or children. . . May I suggest. that no offer however, j small, be passed over. To this end 11 suggest a much larger classification, to ! cover those who would take a child for! three; six, nine .and 12 months or longer. The term for the duration of the' war and six months after is vague and indefinite. What if the war lasts 10 j years? Parents also who wish to as- 1 sist should be given the absolute right; to ctjjoice in age, sex and religion. If. a couple wish to provide a home for a 1 six or seven year old girl they may not want a 12 or 14 year old boy foisted on them. Now in the matter of the short period offers, let it be given full consideration. Four families who. each offer to! provide a home for 6 months is equal! to one family who provide a home fori two years. Another point to remem-; ber: These dear children will not be ordinary refugees or penniless. Many! will have parents who will be only too willing to pay for their maintenance in i full or in part. The knowledge ol' this I may enable many to provide a home! who otherwise feel they could not al-' ford to do so. No aspect of this great and touch in si problem should be overlooked, and what a splendid chance to put to the I test the old and true sayi fig “Oharil 'i begins at-home” and above .all, what a good opportunity for childless married couples living in a seven, eight or nineroomed home to share, their ‘•wealth” which has not yet been conscripted.— I am, etc., DEEDS, NOT WORDS. Nelson 21st June.