MEMORIAL STAMPS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18236, 21 November 1924, Page 8

MEMORIAL STAMPS.

ISSUE NOT WANTED. Philatelists do not want a special issue of postage stamps to commemorate the deeds of the Dominion soldiers in the Great War, although the Christchurch Eeturned Soldiers' Association thinkß that it is a good idea. The Philatelic Congress discussed the matter yesterday. The Christchurch Returned Soldiers' Association, through its secretary, forwarded six examples of the Newfoundland National stamp issue, which' are commemorative of episodes and places made historic during the Great War, and' referring particularly to tho feats of the Newfoundland forces. The letter stated'; "It is considered that the New Zealand Government should, in some similar way, do something to commemorate the feats of the New Zealand forces, and I'have been requested to bring this i suggestion before the notice of your Congress. I should esteem it a favour, therefore, if you would have this proposal considered. Needless to say, my Association would be pleased to co-operate with your organisation in any movement in the direction above referred to."

The stamps are of one design, that of the head of a caribou, but they are printed in different colours, and they have historic names like <'Suvla Bay," "Gucdecourt," "Beaumont Hamel," and "Steenbeck" printed on them. Delegates to the Congress stated that many Governments were in the habit of issuing commemorative stamps simply for the purpose of getting revenue from stamp collectors, and the issues were looked upon as unnecessary by philatelists, and for that reason every opportunity had been taken to discourage them. If the issue were to be of benefit to disabled soldiers, there might have been more support to the recommendation. The final argument was that it was now too long after the Armistice. The following resolution was passed: ''That this Congress regrets that it cannot see its way to accede to the, request put forward by the E.S.A. that the New Zealand Government should issue a set of stamps to commemorate the deeds of the New Zealand soldiers in the Great War."

A committee of four returned soldiers was set up to draw up reasons for the refusal.