BRITISH CHILDREN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24420, 4 October 1940, Page 9

BRITISH CHILDREN

THE EVACUATION SCHEME SUSPENDED IN MEANTIME (British Official Wireless) (United Press Association) (By Electric Telesrap) —Copyright) RUGBY, Oct. 2. Announcing the decision that ho more children can be sent overseas under the Children’s Overseas Reception scheme until further notice, the British Government states: “ The recent sinking of vessels carrying children overseag illustrated the dangers to which passenger vessels are exposed, even when in convoy and under the, weather conditions now prevailing in the Atlantic, and the Government has come reluctantly to the conclusion that during the winter season of gales and heavy seas it cannot- take the responsibility of sending children overseas under the Government scheme. The Government recognises that keen disappointment will be felt by parents who hoped to be able to send their children overseas under the scheme, and expresses warm thanks to the very many_ people in the dominions and the United States who have so generously offered hospitality to children from vulnerable areas in Britain.”

“ The Government is sure, however, that our friends and kinsfolk overseas will be the first to appreciate that the Government’s decision has been taken solely out of consideration and in the best interests of the children themselves. Although the operations of the scheme have been suspended for the time being, it has not been abandoned. _ The Question whether the board will be able to resume operation next year must turn on the conditions then obtaining. Some 2650 children have already gone overseas under the scheme. The parents of these children piav be assured that there will be no suspension of the arrangements made for their welfare in their new homes.”

OVERSEAS RECEPTION SUSPENSION OF SCHEME (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Oct. 3. Information from the British Government announcing in somewhat similar terms to that of the press cables the suspension of the children’s overseas reception scheme has been received by the Government, according to an announcement by Mr W. E. Parry tonight. The Minister said that though the suspension of the scheme would bring considerable disappointment, the soundness of the reasons for the action taken by the British Government would be appreciated by the people of New Zealand.