"A Gift of Flowers"
Granny's Page Barnardo's Letter
Dr. Barnardo's Homes: National Incorporated Association.
( His Majesty The King Patrons ( Her Majesty The Queen ( Her Majesty Queen Alexandra
Head Offices: 18 to 26, Stepney Causeway,
London, E
March, 1913.
Dear Sir, For the past 45 years Dr. Barnardo's Homes have been sending their best children - THE FLOWER OF THEIR FLOCK - to the Dominion of Canada, thus supplying the Dominion with the finest material for developing its vast resources. But is it fair that the Homes should bear the whole cost? Should not Canada help? These Homes have made a gift to Canada of 24,041 Boys and Girls. What has Canada done in return?
The gifts to the Homes from the people of Canada could, metaphorically speaking, be counted on the fingers of one's hands. The Homes have sent to Canada an average of 1,000 boys and girls yearly for the past 12 years, and they have borne the whole cost. Besides the initial expense of 10 pounds per head, they spend in Canada in Boarding out and supervision of the children, and in general expenses of the Distributing Branches, etc., etc., 30,000 pounds yearly - or a total of about 40,000pounds - equal to $200,000 - every year!
Canada has given practically nothing in return (apart from the donations of our own boys and girls); but this is perhaps because the Homes have not previously made an appeal to the Canadian people. Only 495 Boys and Girls have been sent by the Homes to Australia and the other Colonies, yet thousands of pounds are sent yearly from Australia and New Zealand to support the Homes. Will Canadians allow themselves to be outdone by the other British Dominions? I think not!
Your faithfully,
Signature appears to be (Wm Baker) Honorary Director