ORPHANED CHILDREN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 158, 5 June 1940, Page 6

ORPHANED CHILDREN.

The suggestion that has been made to bring war widows and orphaned children to New Zealand is timely., The Government has had this matter under consideration and is awaiting the result of its inquiries. The Mayor of Napier has received support for -liis proposal to establish a new home in this country for a number of young victims of the war. It has also been suggested that children of the Allies might be brought within the ambit of such a scheme. The matter is one to commend itself to the people _ of this Dominion as a work qf importance. In - Australia there .is a definite movement in this direction, and an offer has been made to the British Government to provide a refuge for children under twelve years of age. Recently a public meeting was held in Sydney to arouse interest in the pro-, posal; at the same time the Lord Mayor of Melbourne promised Victoria's support. Prominent citizens have quickly responded to the call and homes have been assured for quite a number of children; Already many citizens in this Dominion have expressed their desire to participate in a scheme to give the children of Britain a safe refuge during the war, and to adopt orphaned children where necessary. The closeness of the East Coast to the German occupation of the Channel ports has emphasised the dangers these little ones have been placed in, and their evacuation is proceeding to safer regions. To bring a large number of them to New Zealand, if .only for the duration of the war, would, provide an opportunity for service many people would quickly seize, while the children themselves, being at an adaptable age, would quickly accept the change. Their permanent residence lierp. if desirables would prove of value to the Dominion, ‘