N.Z. Homes Wanted for British Orphans

Grey River Argus, 17 April 1948, Page 7

N.Z. Homes Wanted for British Orphans

WELLINGTON, April 16. The immigration division of the Department of Labour and Employment stated to-day that application forms are being printed for use by Gersons desiring children in their homes under the scheme announced by the Minister of Immigration, Mr McLagan, to bring British orphans and others to New Zealand. The Department confirmed a statement by Commander D. C. Kinloch (organising secretary for the Overseas League) in Auckland, that only a small proportion would be orphaned children, and that the scheme would primarily be a guardianship one for British children, whose parents were anxious for them to obtain a fresh start in the Dominion. It is stated (.hat applications should be made directlyUo various district ollices of the Child Welfare Branch. At Auckland an appeal for prospective foster-parents for the British childreh who are to he brought to New Zealand was made by Commander D. C. Kinloch, R.N.,' retired, who said he believed ..many New Zealand homes would be glad to have childreh, and appealed to these to advise the Child Welfare Department of their wishes. Partly because friends of other children who had been tempbbarily evacuated to Australia and New Zealand during the war had learned of the good life offering in New Zealand, and partly because there was still a strong urge among the people of Britain to settle overseas, a great many children had now applied to be brought to New Zealand to live. A few were'orphans, but the great majority were not. The number of children to be brought to New Zealand each month, had not yet been decided. It would Jbe substantial from the start. Later, i should more children be available, and should there be enough further homes ready to receive them, he hoped the Government would agree to the number being increased. “Some people may feel that it is wrong that Britain should sacrifice sb many of her woung people’’, he said. “I am sure everybody will, agree that when a number of people in any country, wishes to migrate to another, particularly within the. Empire in which thev are more than welcome, and when they are determined to do so, it is right that their pioneering spirit should be fostered and their path made easy’’.