LEAGUE OF NATIONS UNION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 June 1940, Page 7

LEAGUE OF NATIONS UNION

MASTERTON COUNCIL MEETING. ADOPTION OF BRITISH ORPHANS. At a meeting of the local League of Nations' Union Council held in the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union Rest Room, there were present Mrs T. R. Barrer (in the chair), Mesdames Fouhy, I. Dodds, Engstrom, Misses Barrer, S. Tankersley, O. lorns, the Revs Pearson and Taeapa, Messrs G. R. Sykes, I’. A. Russell, W. Clarke, M. E. Esler, and Wadhams. Mrs Barrer explained that as a result of the meeting on migration addressed by Mr Leigh Hunt, on the invitation of the council, a scheme had been set on foot to bring out to the Wairarapa orphaned British children for adoption or guardianship until at least 16 years of age. The scheme had necessarily- become a community and cooperative one. At a public meeting a small temporary committee had been set up with Mrs R. Page, well known for her wonderful organising work in the last war, as its chairman. The function of the committee was to find out how many people in the district were willing to offer shelter and a home to children in this hour of Britain’s crisis.

Arrangements were made for obtaining signatures to a petition to the Government if such were thought necessary in connection with the larger scheme suggested by a resident of Napier and set going by the Mayor ol that town. It was decided to invite the Rev Ussher to give an address on the nutrition work of the League of Nations, probably on July 2, and if it could be arranged, jointly to the Optimist Club and the public generally.

A sum of £2 10s was voted to the funds of the Dominion Council in response to an appeal. It was decided to offer to the Patriotic Committee the money for at least three soldiers’ parcels. A donation of 10s was received from Mr Russell for this purpose. Several members undertook to make up hussifs and pocket pouches. The Rev Pearson was appointed a delegate from .the League of Nations' Union to approach the members of the Wairarapa Ministers’ Association in connection with the question of British orphans. The secretary was instructed to order 25 copies of “The New World” for sale and distribution among members. This small periodical devotes itself exclusively to articles on problems of world reconstruction. Members expressed the opinion that education on constructive lines should not be left until the end of the war.