WAR MEMORIAL SCHEME

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 94, 13 September 1948, Page 4

WAR MEMORIAL SCHEME

Sir, —A considerable time ago a public meeting was held to discuss a Whakatane War Memorial. Various schemes were suggested and one, apparently sponsored by the Borough Council, was the “cleaning up” of the Domain, the improvement of Sports facilities, and the possible erection of a Community Centre therein. This scheme was not endorsed by the meeting—rightly so—as the Domain was variously described as “a disgrace”, and a “financial liability”, and to patch up such an object as an “honour” to the men who died overseas was an insult. Besides, the Sports bodies plainly saw an opportunity to have the Domain put in order for. their benefit. But why not use their own funds? There has been, I believe, no further meeting, although the first meeting decided on a later gathering, but there appears to have been some furthering of the Domain scheme being done in the background, according to brief press reports, proposals put to the Minister, etc. Perhaps, Mr Editor, the time has come when the public should be advised as to whether they are being let in for some scheme of which they may oe may not approve. Surely three years after the war is not too early to make some move to decide on a war memorial—or are the boys already forgotten? Yours etc., “ALAMEIN.”