OVERSEAS LEAGUE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26703, 24 February 1948, Page 6

OVERSEAS LEAGUE

VISIT OF DEVELOPMENT SECRETARY ,» WORK IN DOMINION The development secretary of the Overseas League, Commander D. C. Kinlock, D. 5.0., 0.8. E., arrived in Dunedin yesterday in the course of a tour of branches. The objects of his visit are to assist in the establishment of new branches; to discuss how financial aid should be best applied; to conduct negotiations for child migration schemes; and generally strengthen the influence of the league and make its aims more widely known. Explaining that the league differed from other Empire bodies in that it would sponsor any kind of worthwhile work, Commander Kinlock told the Daily Times that the league had a scheme for child migration. The scheme provided for boys and girls between the ages of five and fifteen years, who were selected from suitable British homes for migration to other parts of the Empire. Many orphans, too, were included in the scheme.

About 60 children had already been sent to Australia, said Commander Kinlock, and so far as New Zealand was concerned, he hoped the league’s branches in the four main centres would be able to find homes to receive children. The branches would be responsible for ensuring the satisfactory settlement of the children, and preventing them from “falling by the wayside.” Child migration would be the subject of discussions with representatives of the Government when he visited Wellington. Retarded in its progress because of the war, the league was now in the process of effecting its policy of contributing to the Empire’s welfare, said Commander Kinlock. Members of the league- were bent on bringing about a greater understanding and appreciation of the Empire, and arousing those who were apathetic towards it. Among its many duties, the league, with its 30 to 40 branches, saw that travellers to and from Britain were properly cared for, and similarly those who visited the Dominion. It also anxious that school children should acquire a sound; knowledge of the Empire and its functions. “ The old days of passive attitude towards the Empire are over,” said Commander Kinlock. “There are too many foreign countries waiting to take chips off it.” Australia and New Zealand had importance to the Empire from the standpoint of sentiment, economy and defence, and though distant from the heart of the Empire geographically, they were close in every other way- New Zealand was to-day in the best position to give a lead in the league’s progressive policy towards the Empire, and to the salvation of Britain. . Commander Kinlock described the many clubs set up by the league. He said he hoped that such clubs would be established in the main cities in New Zealand, and that they would spread to the smaller districts. Such a club was already thriving in Auckland: A conference will be held at Auckland in April when a Dominion league organisation will be set up. The Dunedin branch of the Overseas League has - arranged a programme for Commander Kinlock, who will leave at the end of the week. He will hold conferences with members of the branch, and will address meetings on the work of the league.