BRITISH CHILDREN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 August 1940, Page 4

BRITISH CHILDREN

WORK ON RECEPTION PLANS CONTINUED IN SPITE OF TEMPORARY POSTPONEMENT. THOUSANDS OF OFFERS OF HOMES. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Though there has been a temporary postponement of the scheme for the evacuation to the. Dominions of British children of ages between five and 16 years, the work of preparing for the reception of a quota of the children to be sent to New Zealand is being continued. The Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Parry, stated last night that cabled dispatches were still being exchanged betAveen the United Kingdom Government and the New Zealand Government as consideration of different matters in relation to the children to be evacuated became necessary. New Zealand families, said the Minister, had nominated over 3000 children, mostly the children of relatives and friends in England, to be brought to the Dominion. Offers had also been received from New Zealand parents which would mean a home for 5000 unspecified children. “All the nominations and offers to take children,” Mr Parry said, “have been sent foward to the United Kingdom Government through Mr W. J. Jordan, the High Commissioner for NeAV Zealand in London. Had there not been a temporary postponement of the scheme it would not be over-estimating the patriotism and sympathy of our people to say that there would have been hundreds, if not thousands, more offers received by the Government to care for any of the children brought to these shores for safety. There has not been the slightest cavilling over this scheme—it has had a spontaneous and remarkable reception by the people which redounds to their spirit of patriotism.” Mr Parry said many very fine letters had been received from New Zealanders in Avhich they made their offers to take the evacuated children. “The high sense of feeling and patriotism shown in the letters,” the Minister added, “would kindle the hearts and minds of all who read them.”