A HAVEN FOR THE HOMELESS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 181, 3 July 1940, Page 4

A HAVEN FOR THE HOMELESS

Hospitality has its true interpretation in New Zealand! These are the words of a famous. American when he last visited these shores. The coming appeal for homes for Refugee children from the Old Country must therefore meet with a spontaneous and open-hearted response. Before the dreaded Nazi "blitzkrieg" is released upon England, the authorities hope to have hundreds of thousands of children safe upon the seas and on their way to the comparative safety and security of the Dominions and the U.S.A. The first meeting of the Bay of Plenty Refugee Children Placement Committee takes place on Friday next. Forms to be filled in by those willing to afford a temporary haven for the innocents of war may be obtained from both the Borough and County offices. There will be few persons not willing to open their doors but no doubt the allocation of the children will be carefully watched by the committee who will be directly responsible; for initial welfare of their young charges. Just how many are expected in this area is* unknown but if the storm of the Nazi fury reaches its expected proportions the number of parents in Britain willing to send their children abroad will grow from day to day. It therefore hehoves us to make not only adequate provision, but if necessary to anticipate an even greater number of child refugees than that which may be actually named.