“THUMBS UP”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24423, 8 October 1940, Page 8

“THUMBS UP”

BRITISH CHILDREN ARRIVE ELEVEN WITH DUNEDIN HOSTS ATTRACTIVE, HAPPY BAND Alighting, from yesterday afternoon s express to commence a new phase ox their young lives in a strange land. 11 bright, attractive children from warscarred London and suburbs greeted their foster-parents and new friends by. giving, with great gusto, the ■•‘thumbs up” sign which is so indicative of the spirit of the people of Britain. They were met by the Mayoi (Mr A. H, Allen) and Mrs Allen_ana members of .the local British Chii'dren’s Committee, and after a pleasantly informal welcome were taken to the Town Hall, where they were entertained at tea before departing with their hosts to enter their new ‘‘Wartime” lives.

Across the World to Safety

■ft was a little pathetic to watch these small strangers, and to remember that, through the actions of Hitler and his fellow international gangsters, they had to travel from one end of the earth to the other to find a haven free from bombs and air raid shelters. But. despite the fact that the children—their ages vary from 5 to 14 years—have been uprooted from their homes, families, and friends, there was little sign of sadness or unhappiness among them. They take everything as it comes with the same spirit as other Londoners are taking the horrors and discomforts of air raids. Carrying dolls and kit-bags instead of gas masks, they greeted their new friends with an absence of shyness and with manners and speaking voices that were extremely attractive. When the children arrived at the Town Hall they found a table set with all manner of things to tempt their appetites. They were introduced to their “ foster-parents a handful of people who considered themselves very fortunate to be the ones selected to act as hosts and hostesses for the young visitors. It was not long before the children were enjoying their meal and between mouthfuls answering with great politeness and patience the numerous questions put to them about their life in London, their voyage out, and their impressions of New Zealand. But the kindly cross-examinations did not prevent them from enjoying their first meal in Dunedin.

Welcome by the Mayor

A brief welcome was extended to the children by the Mayor, who expressed the delight and relief of the committee that they had arrived safely in Dunedin. He assured them that they were very welcome and that they would be made to feel at home in their new surroundings. He thanked all who had offered to take the children and expressed regret that so many hundreds in Otago had to be disappointed. Mr Allen expressed the hope that more children would be arriving from tune to time, for Otago people were looking forward to having them. “I want you to ‘keep your thumbs up’ all the time you are here,” Mr Allen added, “and I hope you will enjoy ycur stay with us. I want you to keep firmly in mind the happy day when vou are able to return in safety to your parents, even though that day will, I am sure, be an unhappy one for your hosts, who are certain to become firmly attached to you one and all.” The children then gave three cheers for the Mayor and all who had come to welcome them and then took a fond farewell of Miss Kyrsty Page whe was in charge of a group of children on the voyage out from England and who was responsible for the party that arrived in Dunedin. Miss Page, who comes from Wellington, had spent two years and a-half in England before coming out with the children. She had evidently endeared herself to her young charges, for one and all kissed her and bade her an affectionate farewell before going off contentedly to their new homes.

THE SCOTTISH PARTY CHIEF ESCORT - RETURNS HOME Before her departure for England, Miss Jean Johnson, chief escort to New Zealand of the 89 boys and girls from Scotland who ..came to the Dominion under the children’s overseas reception scheme, spoke highly of the many helpful kindnesses extended to her by the people of Wellington and officials of the State departments, with whom her work had brought her in contact. The Minister of Internal Affairs. Mr W. E. Parry said to-day that a high impression was formed of Miss Johnson’s qualifications and work. She had been verv helpful in consultations concerning the settlement of British children in New Zealand.