SOLDIERS' CHILDREN.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2143, 28 December 1920, Page 20 (Supplement)

SOLDIERS ' CHILDREN.

AUSTRALIA TAKES A HAND. IMPORTANT EDUCATIONAL SCHEME. An extensive scheme has been approved by the Federal Government for the continuous education of children of fallen and totally and permanently in- : capacitated soldiers, from the termination of the primary stage at 13 years, without break if necessary, up to the age of 20. It covers the whole range of the educational curriculum in industrial, agricultural and professional courses, together, where necessary, with periods of apprenticeship, and a subsidy by way of sustenance whilst undergoing training, and is the result of collaboration between the Government, the Repatriation Commissioners and the Directors of Education in the several States, says the "Age." The scheme, which will operate in all States, will, for the time being, be administered and controlled by the Department of Repatriation, which will create in each State an honorary advisory council or board, consisting of representatives of the State Educational Departments, the secondary and technical institutions, the universities and the numerous public donors to the fund. Further details of the scheme will be furnished. At this stage, however, it has already been decided that' the scheme shall provide for children either resident at or'away from_ home, a feature of the scheme being that training may be taken advantage of in rural education at agricultural colleges, agricultural high schools and other secondary schools, as well as the provision made for complete training in the various trades and crafts and professions.

The following schedule is an indication of the provision that is likely to be made: 13 to 10: At home, £26; away from home, £52. * 16 to per cent, remain at school, 00 per cent, become apprentices): At home, £52; away from home, £7B. APPRENTICES. 16 to 18. 16, at home, £39; 17, at home, £45 10/-, in addition to award rates; 16, away from home, £65: 17, away from home, £7l 10/-. 18 Onwards, professional, 121 P er cent.! At home, £7B: away from home, £l3O. Agricultural, 25 per cent.; industrial, 824 per Cent.; 18, at home, £52; away, £7B; 19, at home, £SB 10/-; away, £B4 10/-; 20, at home, £65; away. £9l. It is estimated that the proportion of these living away from home will he In the ratio of 1 to 4. A fund of approximately £1,100,000 is in hand, which includes a grant from the Federal Government of £BOO,OOO, and a transfer from the Repatriation Trust Fund of £137,000, the chief donors of which were Messrs Baillieu Bros., the British Australasian Tobacco Co., the Barrier Munitions Co.. South Australian Post and Telegraph Patriotic Fund, an anonymous donor from Brisbane, and others who responded to-, the 1916-17 national appeal. A sum of £29,000 was taken over from the' Queensland State War Council, £90,000 provided by the Victorian State School Children Patriotic Fund and £20,000 from the Victorian Bating Club." Further large contributions are assured from the Returned Sailors' and Soldiers' Imperial League of Australia, the Western Australian War Council Fund, and two substantial 'legacies are expected from the estates of well-known" benefactors. Negotiations are in progress between the South Australian Soldiers' Fund and the Repatriation Commissioners, as A result of which it is anticipated a liberal endownment will be received from that source. It is hoped also that the public will generously support the scheme, which affords an opportunity of helping in so practical way the orphan children of our fallen soldiers. •In making the above announcement the Acting Minister of Repatriation, Mr Rodgers, expressed the hope that the scheme would be launched in January next, and said that the heartiest cooperation of the general I public, .and both private and public institutions, was cordially invited by the Government. It was expected that at least 12,000 children wjll participate.