CHILDREN FROM BRITAIN

Evening Star, Issue 23680, 13 September 1940, Page 2

CHILDREN FROM BRITAIN

INTEREST OF IMMIGRANTS' CLUB REPRESENTATIONS TO GOVERNMENT The question of bringing children from Great Britain to New Zealand during the-war was discussed last night at a meeting of tho British Immigrants’ Club. Representatives of Northumberland, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Staffordshire, Devonshire, London, and Ireland were present to meet delegates from tho Council of Scottish Societies, and tho Lancashire and Yorkshire Society. Mrs G. Brooks was in the chair, and Mr A. Wheeler introduced the delegates. Mrs Jones-Neilson stressed the need for the co-operation of all societies interested in the people of Great Britain, as the question of bringing out children was a very urgent one. It was felt that an “ empty ” country like New Zealand was not doing as much as might have been done. Three months after the proposal was made only 170 mothers and children had been brought to the Dominion. Letters had been sent to the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. AY. E. Parry) and Sir Harry Batterbee asking that a grant should be arranged between the Governments of the Dominion and the United Kingdom, and that the grant should be extended as in other parts of the British Commonwealth.

Sir Harry Batterbee bad written thanking the club and the speaker personally for the helpful suggestions that he had received. These suggestions were that all school leaving certificates from schoolmasters and others ns to the ability of individual children, and that all insurance benefits, friendly society benefits, and National Health benefits should be sent for each child. Mr Parry had written thanking members of the club and expressing appreciation of their efforts. He said that all the points raised would receive careful attention. After a lengthy discussion Mr Wheeler expressed appreciation of the courtesy extended to the Council of Scottish to co-oinerate. He was not able to give any definite "assurance at the moment, but he said they had all been impressed by the able and capable manner in which the business had been arranced. The delegates would report to their respective societies, and he felt sure, as far as those present were concerned, that the British Immigrants’ Club would have strong support. It was decided to have a questionnaire distributed among the various societies.

A woman from Staffordshire mentioned that iier four grandchildren would l)p leavin'! shortly and that arrangements had hoen made through the Dominions Office. London, for 10s maintenance for each child to he paid hy the parents to the grandmother. A vote of thanks was accorded Mrs Jones-fveilsnn and the chairwoman for the work that was being done.