CARE OF EVACUEES

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20990, 18 December 1939, Page 9

CARE OF EVACUEES

HOW THE SCHEME WORKS HUGE COST INVOLVED More than half a million pounds a week pour out of Britain’s national exchequer these days by way of the Ministry of Health to cover running costs of the vast evacuation scheme. This plan has moved 65,000 to 75,000 school children, 240,000 infants under five years of age, and 402,000 adults from their homes or near cities to places—mostly other peoples’ homes —less likely to suffer aerial bombardment. Allowances to Hosts This estimated expenditure of £2,000,000 a month for as many months as the war lasts represents only the payment for board or lodging or both of the evacuees, school teachers, and “helpers.” It takes no account of such items as transportation, dues, i or compensation for additional disbursements made by local educational authorities owing to the sudden influx of extra pupils in the reception areas. Transportation costs are enormous. | The weekly allowances made by I the Government to people acting as I hosts to youngsters unaccompanied by adults is 10s 6d for a single guest J or 8s 6d each where two or more

are drafted into the same home, but where children have grown-ups with them. Payment is for lodging only —ss a week for an adult, 3s for a child, the cost of food being defrayed from the evacuees’ own sources or with the aid of public relief funds. One anomaly to be remedied is the fact that many thousands of parents are thus relieved of the ordinary financial obligation to pay for their children’s upkeep. Five shillings is allotted for the weekly board of teachers—they make their own arrangements ‘regarding meals—while “helpers” appointed to assist the teachers are paid for at the rate of one guinea a week for board and lodging. People accommodating evacuees receive the subsidy due to them by applying at their post office, where they have to present a special account book.

The Great Problem Perhaps the greatest problem arises from the inevitable splitting lup of families “for duration.” This difficulty has many sides apart from the obvious one of destroying family life, although in many cases there is no question about material advantage to the children. Closely linked with this is the tendency of evacuees to insist on returning home notwithstanding urgent Government requests to “stay put.” At least a million people were to reluctant to leave their homes In the