FINDING HOMES FOR REFUGEES

Southland Times, Issue 24164, 28 June 1940, Page 6

FINDING HOMES FOR REFUGEES

BRITISH CHILDREN COMING TO N.Z.

LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO ASSIST Details of the Government’s proposal to provide homes for 2500 British children for the duration of the war and a request that certain organization be carried out in Southland were received from the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) by the Deputy-Mayor (Mr J. R. Martin) yesterday. . “In an endeavour to gam the support of the community for the proposal it is desired that the local authorities throughout New Zealand should collaborate to the fullest extent,” stated the letter from Mr Parry. “The immediate way in which this co-operation can be given is for the local authorities to ascertain the number of persons who are willing to provide homes for these children. "The Government thinks that the work can better be handled on a zone basis and for this purpose New Zealand has been divided into .26 zones and one local authority selected for each zone as the responsible zone authority. In the Southland zone the Invercargill City Council has been selected to take charge of the work, and I would suggest that you call a meeting of local authorities as soon as possible and then make a public appeal.” The letter added that church authorities in the zone should be asked to assist the local authorities by investigating the applications and indicating whether the applicants were suitable as prospective foster parents to the children. GOOD RESPONSE IN NELSON (United Press Association) NELSON, June 27. Five days ago an appeal was made to the public to provide homes for children from Britain. By today people in the city district had offered to take 370. The offers were supported by the signature of the resident, giving a guarantee of responsibility for one child or more for the duration of the war, but a large proportion expressed their willingness to adopt the children permanently. PERSONNEL OF ADVISORY COUNCIL LONDON, June 26. Mr Geoffrey Shakespeare, Undersecretary for the Dominions, in the House of Commons announced that the personnel of the Advisory Council to the Children’s Overseas Reception Scheme under Lord Snell. Many members of the council are associated with social and welfare organizations. They include the Countess of Bessborough, Sir Ronald Lindsay, Miss Florence Horsburgh, M.P., Miss Ellen Wilkinson, M.P., and Mr Gordon Green, representing the Fairbridge Farm Schools.