REFUGEE CHILDREN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 226, 16 October 1940, Page 4

REFUGEE CHILDREN

POSTPONEMENT OF EVACUATION „ SCHEME • I ... .• V * . ; ;;. ■ MINISTER'S ADVICE TO MAYOIt The unavoidable postponement of the scheme for the ao- . commodation of children cvecuated from Britain is the subject of a leTter to His Worship the • Mayor from the Hon. W. EL ' Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, who expresses his= appre- . ciation of the local committee's - assistance. " The letter reads: — '"I am writing to-day to :lhe May- . ars and Chairmen of all local auth« orities who have been assisting with . the British Children's. Scheme, and, [ enclose for your information a\ V copy of the circular letter which has been forwarded. wish, however, to write to you personally to ; express the very deep appreciation. of the Government for all that has been done by you to forward the scheme. Without the co-operation ; of the local authorities it would have been difficult indeed to put the scheme into practical effect, but • lam happy i:o say that right thro- > ughout the Dominion their response has been most helpful and has re? suited In the establishment of a very fine organisation capable, of handling large numbers of children. "It is disappointing that children have not arrived in the Dominion in large numbers and that we have to wait a considerable time before we can expect any more. HoAvever, we are ready, and we must now wait until such time British Government can make adequate arrange ments for, the passage of the chil« dren to the Dominion with, the maxir mum degree of safety. "The splendid assistance you and your committee have afforded the Government, in company with others throughout the Dominion, makes it quite evident that if children do arrive in large numbers after the European winter no difficulty will be experienced in placing many thousands of them,"

| Remarkable Response. | The circular states that the response to the appeal for homes was really remarkable and in view of ■ the unlikelihood of large riumb*ers of children reaching the Dominion for some considerable time, it was felt that no useful purpose would be served by. receiving further offers of accommodation meanwhile.. Intending applicants should note. On the resumption of the scheme further officers of accommodation will be invited and nominations will be accepted as the homes held over are absorbed. Meanwhile, it was desired that the particulars already assembled should be kept togethec in such a manner as to be readilyavailable for use when required.