SOLDIERS' CHILDREN.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 35, 3 May 1919, Page 7

SOLDIERS' CHILDREN.

THE SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME. DR. RIDDELL'S VIEWS. The other day, Dr. J. E. Riddell, wiio is so well known in the Hawke's Bay district, was visiting Wellington, where he was interviewed on the subject of the Trentbam Dominion ;"'. heirships Arb Union. It is well known by all those interested thai !>r Riddell's energy lias bad a great deal to do with the progress of this scheme. The Doctor has himself contributed over £IOOO to the fund in prizes—such is his practical sympathy with the soldiers' kiddies. And the interviewer's object was to secure as much information as possible from the Doctor concerning the manner in which it was proposed to administer the fund. "Well," said Dr. Riddell, "the fund was originated by Colonel H. R. Potter, CM.C., X.Z.S.C, Avhen he was Camp Commandant at Trentbam Camp. Starting in a small way, the fund was so enthusiastically received by prominent gentlemen, that the scheme developed into a much more ambitious project than was originally considered. No doubt." continued Dr. Riddell, "the hard work of Colonel Potter and keen enthusiasm for the cause had a great deal to do with the development of interest in the fund. The trustees are: MajorGeneral Sir A. Robin, K.C.M.G., C. 8., General Officer Commanding N.Z.' Forces: Dr. W. J. Anderson, Director of Education; and Colonel

Potter. I "The objects of the fund can only ' he generally stated, since, until the amount subscribed is ascertained, it ; is impossible to determine the exact application of the money. A broad outline of the scheme, however, can be given. It is a Dominion fund for every part of New Zealand, and the 'general object is to promote or assist in the promotion of education of the I children of soldiers of the New Zeai land Expeditionary Forces who have been killed or have been on active service in this war. If funds permit, the children of members of any branch of His Majesty's Forces who were on active service during the war will be included so long as the parents were domiciled in New Zea--1 land at the time of enlistment. In. administering the funds, the necessities of the child and of his or her parent or parents and all surrounding circumstances will he taken into consideration;' It is proposed to-pro-vide free places, scholarships, and bursaries at the various' colleges, and j to furnish an allowance in the case of each student, to enable him or her to go through with the tuition. Provided l'u'..d s are available, there is .ho a scheme proposed to take j fiity of the children of those who made the supreme sacrifice, and to put these fifty right, through infro fiheir professions as architects, 'engineers, doctoj-s, etc.; the people to act ':,• lcco parentis. Four out of the | fifty children would be Maoris, for ;-.re:y the Maoris have a 'aim upon ■.n, considering their splendid share' in the- fighting. ; '•' - "Of course," went on the Doctor, "what can be done depends entirely upon the amout of money raised; and what we want to d o ' first- of all is to get as much money-as possible into the fund before 30tli June'; when this Art Union closes. It is proposed to raise £IOO,OOO, and if that sum is reached, a great deal can be done with it for the children of New Zealand's heroes. "Some people don't seem to want to buy Art Union tickets, because they object to Art Unions, and yet they are sympathetic towards the splondid scheme of helping the soldiers' children. Yet surely there is no need for all these people to stand out, because we are accepting donations. So please tell your readers that if they wish to help the kiddies without buying tickets they can send their cheques along 'to the secretary, and they will, be duly acknowledged. "Nothing that we can do for these youngsters is enough. Their fathers went away to the front, and died to keep New Zealand safe from the Hun. Now that the children are left fatherless, the least we can do is to Look after them. It is up to every self-respecting New Zoalander to put what he or she can afford into this fund, either as a donation or by purchasing tickets. One of the 'host plans, which a great many j people have adopted, is to purchase j a few tickets every week. You never j miss an 'odd shilling or two, and there's always the chance of winning some of the £6300 worth of prizes."