BRITISH CHILDREN FOR N.Z.

Southland Times, Issue 24162, 26 June 1940, Page 4

BRITISH CHILDREN FOR N.Z.

PLANS FOR SETTLEMENT IN DOMINION

(United Press Association)

WELLINGTON, June 25.

Plans for the settlement of children to be evacuated from Britain to New Zealand for the duration of the war have been communicated by the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) to the mayors of each of the main centres of the North and South Islands.

It Was proposed to provide for 2500 children coming to New Zealand, said the Minister, but it would probably be possible to extend that number very materially. In undertaking this responsibility the Government was conscious of the wholehearted support of the community and it was desired that local authorities throughout the Dominion should collaborate to the fullest extent by ascertaining the number of persons 'in their particular localities who are willing to provide homes for these children. The Minister expressed the opinion that the work could better be handled on the zone basis and for that purpose New Zealand had been divided into 26 zones and one local authority selected for each zone as the responsible zone authority. In his communication to the mayors of the different centres Mr Parry states that after the children reach New Zealand their New Zealand fosterparents will be expected to assume full responsibility for their maintenance. The New Zealand Government has declined Britain’s offer to contribute towards their maintenance.

HEADS OF CHURCHES TO BE APPROACHED (United Press Association) ‘ WELLINGTON, June 25. Government representatives and heads of the main religious denominations conferred today in Wellington about plans for the reception of children from Britain. It is understood that the discussions were entirely informal and the Government will formally approach the heads of the churches at a later stage. In the meantime the church leaders are contacting the members of the congregations willing to take children from England into their homes.