WAR MEMORIALS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16431, 27 January 1919, Page 6

WAR MEMORIALS.

SOUTH CANTERBURY FUND

VETOED

During an interval in a performance at the Theatre Royal at Timaru on Friday night the Secretary to the Returned Soldiers' Association, Mr F. D. Young, read from the stago, i tho following telegram from the Minister of Internal Affairs, received by him just before the performance commenced: — "Careful consideration has been given to the proposal to establish a war memorial fund in South Canterbury. The Government is of opinion that in view of urgent claims of many men now returning for assistance in repatriation and in tho starting of homes and businesses, etc v tho question of establishing memorials should for tho present be postponed and that our attention at present should as far as possible bo devoted to raising funds for, and generally assisting in tho important work of repatriation and of assisting the dependants of those \vho have made the supremo sacrifice or who have been injured in war sen'ice. I regret therefore that I am unable at present to see my way to approve of tho establishing of, a fund for the erection of a memorial in South Canterbury." Mr Young made some comment on the message. He stated that the Association would not let the matter drop. It was regretted that the raising of a fund by donations was not permitted, as it was known that many people would subscribe generously for the purpose. The Association would again approach the Government, and they would have the support of other branches who also wero raising funds for the same purposes. The Christchurch branch, he understood, had obtained permission to raise a fund. The reference to repatriation, he considered unreasonable and unfair. The cost of repatriation was properly ono for thtf Government to undertake, providing the funds required by taxatjon, not by appeal to personal generosity.