CARE OF BRITISH CHILDREN

Southland Times, Issue 24236, 20 September 1940, Page 6

CARE OF BRITISH CHILDREN

Supervision By State Authority

PROPER SCHOOLING TO BE PROVIDED (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, September. 19. Detailed provisions for the welfare of children arriving in New Zealand from Great Britain as a result of the.war are. contained in regulations Gazetted tonight under the title British Children Emergency Regulations 1940. These regulations, which'it is understood, are in line with measures adopted in other Dominions, provide that all children brought to New Zealand under the arrangement entered into with the British Government shall be deemed to be under the care of the superintendent of the child welfare branch of the Education Department. It is felt that they should be under the care of a competent authority, and as the functions of this branch cover the whole field of child care, placement and general upbringing it is regarded as the proper one for the task. The regulations set out clearly the position of foster parents in New Zea-land—-that for the duration of the war and for any further period during which the children remain in their custody, they will maintain them at their own expense, provide proper schooling, facilities for religious training and generally care for the children as if they were their own.

The regulations indicate that there is no necessity for special formal agreements between the superintendent and the foster parents. It is intended that any visits made to the foster homes by authorized persons shall be in the nature of friendly contacts, with the sole object of helping the child and the foster parent. Steps will be taken to keep parents in Great Britain Informed regarding the progress and general welfare of their children.