EMPIRE AND CHILDREN

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 83, 4 October 1940, Page 6

EMPIRE AND CHILDREN

The people of this country will share the sincere regret of the other Dominions at the British Government's announcement that no more children can be sent overseas till further notice. The original proposal some months ago, to provide! a safe refuge in the Dominions for British children from enemy action that makes no distinction of age or sex, appealed to all that is best in human nature and found an immediate response among the people! overseas. A welcome was prepared! for all the children Britain could send and their arrival was Avarmly anticipated. The possibilities of such a scheme as a means of mutual benefit to the Dominions and the Motherland captured the imagination. But at the same time the difficulties and dangers of transport were, perhaps, scarcely realised. It was felt that even the Nazis would hardly single out ships carrying refugee children for. special attack. Such hopes have been disappointed. The fate of the City of Benares, with its party of children, was sufficient, after other earlier attacks, to give pause to the authorities, who have now decided that during the winter season of gales and heavy seas they cannot take the responsibility of sending children overseas under the scheme. Happily, there is good prospect that it will be resumed next year under better conditions. Some 2650 children have already found temporary homes overseas, and New Zealand, the remotest Dominion, is doing and will do its part with traditional hospitality.