Dire Needs of Children In Europe

Chronicle (Levin), 20 April 1948, Page 4

Dire Needs of Children In Europe

Ii. . » Authoritative figures suggested that tod'ay there were 58,000,900 ■children in European countries suffering seriodsly as the besult of the ravages Of War, said the Ma'yor, Mr. H. B. Burdekin, at the monthly meeting of the Levin Borough, Council last night. Many o'f tpem had practically-no clothing and received only spasmodic feeding, For; a Very large number there were5 virtually no schools, hospitals or facilities for earrying on child welfar'e WQrk. ""These children have had nothibg to do With the brihging abput df the war," he continued, "'and ' we must do 6U'r best to -see that they have the prd.inary opportunities of pitizenship Which would have been thetrs had there been no war. All countries where there is impoverishment and want are- breeding grounds for Communism." The relief of these condifiohs was; the purpose behind the appeal Which United Nations was sponsoring next month throughout all its member countries, said Mr. Burdekin. In the next week.or so. he proposed • calling a meeting of Interested citizens and representatives of organisations to organise thd effort in Levin, and he felt sure that the people would play their toart when the time came.