WAR MEMORIALS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16423, 17 January 1919, Page 7

WAR MEMORIALS.

TO THE EDITOR OF "THE TBESS." Sir, —I have followed with considerable interest the discussion that has arisen regarding the wish of tho local branch of the Returned Soldiors' Association to secure for itself a club house and "Hall of Memories," also as to tho desirability of citizens providing a suitable war memorial for Christchurch. There apparently is some confusion in the public mind over both ideas, and one may suffer nt tho expense of the other if it is intendod to proceed with the two schemes separately. I am not a member of tho R.S.A., although an ex-volunteer, who served during the South African war, and was associated with the A.I.F. during tho recent war. I make this explanation to indicate that while I have no personal interest in the RjS.A., my sympathies are with returned Soldiers, and I would naturally be glad to see a worthy war memorial erected in this city.

The letter of Mr 0. T. J. Alpers in to-day's issue of "The Press," on behalf of the soldiers' project, strikes a sentimental chord, and expresses very laudable sentiments. Nevertheless, J cannot agree that the R.S.A. is wise in insisting that their foremost wish is for a hall. The club will, of courso, only be of transitory .utility, and as well so, because the sooner a returned soldier resumes his status as an active civilian the better for both himself and the country. However, there is no doubt the people of Christchurch will provide all that may be required for the, needs of returned soldiers until such time as they aro repatriated, and, thcrofore, a rallying point for social reunion so long as that pnase of companionship calls for a club house.

Personally, I have no faith in the permanency of a Soldiers' Club as an abiding institution likely to confer any benefits upon its members. Still, if a suitable club house were provided by the public for the use of returned soldiers under a Deed of Trust, it would doubtless always bo an asset, and provide for gome equally worthy object when occasion arises. * '

The r "Hall of Memories" idea is somewhat illusive to me. I have lived long enough to appreciate how fickle public sentiment is, particularly in regard to ex-soldiers, when the war clouds have dissipated, and anything relying upon public sympathy for its foundation wil| not long endure. ~lf such an edifice as Mr Alpers has visualised were erected to-day in honour of those who have fallen in the great war, I vonture to prophesy that within a few it would be little more than the 1 'memory,*' and by no means an enduring memorial, particularly if it had to rely upon periodical appeals to the public for its maintenance.

Christchurch has in the past suffered greatly from "dissipation of effort" (as your admirable leader oil war memorials ho aptly expressed it), and for the R.S.A. to urge its claims in opposition to the more comprehensive scheme to secure an adequate war memorial for the city as a. whole is. I have the timidity to. suggest, ill-advised. 'Whatever form the war memorial for Christchurch may take it will, doubtless, provide for recording the names of fallen heroes; and if, as Mr Alpers states, a place is required for trophies, etc.. would not the Canterbury Museum be the most suitable depository? Perhaps a separate wing, or even an annex, might be necessary, but such an arrangement would widen interest in the Museum, and obviate "overlapping," whHi has so long been a reproach to public effort in Christchurch.—Youre, GORDON HUTCHISON. Christchurch, January 16th.