WAR MEMORIALS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16432, 28 January 1919, Page 6

WAR MEMORIALS.

ATTITUDE OF THE GOVERNMENT*

Respecting the application mado on > behalf of South Canterbury for autho- ( rity to open a fund for a war memorial, . the Hon. G. W. Russell informed a reporter yesterday that the Government does not propose to allow tho establishment of Bfiy funds that will distract public attention from tho importance of , all the noncy possible being raised at tho present time for tho benefit of tho Dominion's returning soldiers. Tho fund proposed in connexion with tho purchase of Lancaster Park, the Minister pointed out, was oq a different footing, statutory provision having beon made in 1917 for funds for such-like purposes being considered war funds. Ia addition, tho Government recognised tho importance of assisting genuine sport, such as cricket, football, and so forth, as a means of building up the national physique. "Tho question of raising money at the present time f<jr memorials such as that proposod in South Canterbury," the Minister added, "stands on an entirely different footing, and the Gbvernment thinks that should bo held over for tho present until tlio needs of the soldiers aro fully supplied." RETURNED SOLDIERS' CAMPAIGN. With regard to the position of the : local branch of tho Returned Soldiers' Association, which is about to launch a campaign to raiso £8000 for new club premises, it may bo stated that permission to obtain funds for such a purposo was obtained last year: Tho war memorial proposal was on a different footing. ; Tho scheme to raise money for the "Hall of Memories" was of recent birth, and • it was dropped less than a fortnight ago, and as it had nover been formally decided uponj permission to set it in motion was never asked. In July, 1918, the 6Gcrotary for the Returned Soldiers' Association received a letter from tho Department of Internal Affairs stating that Returned Soldiers' Club funds were used for tho purchase of site and erection of a building, or the purchase of premises to be used as a Returned Soldiers' Club, had been declared war funds under the provisions of the War "Funds Act, 1915, and only compliance with the various regulations was nccossary for tho granting of the permit. These formalities, and others imposed bv later statutes, were complied with in August last, and the permit was accordingly granted. OXFORD. A public meeting, convened bv the Oxford County Council, was held to consider the question of a war memorial. Mr Atax. Baxter presided, and thero was a small attendance. On the motion of Mr Hawke, it was decided that a memorial to fallon soldiers be erected in Oxford. On the ouestion of what form tfie» memorial should take, Mr L. Watson proposed: "That a3 a memorial thero be erected Council Chambers which . would include an agricultural hall, and a soldiers' room." Mr It. Dalley proposed: 'That a monument be orectod in Pearson Park." On a vote being taken, six voted for the monument, and five for tho building.

On account of the smallness of the' attendance, it was decidocj that the two proposals be put before the public for consideration, together with any other .suggestion that might be made.