WAR RECORDS,

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 266, 6 August 1919, Page 6

WAR RECORDS,

DEFENCE DEPARTMENT'S COLLECTIONS.

The Defence Department is taking ac- ■ tive steps in tho collection of material likely to be of value to the future historians of New Zealand's share in the Great War. An office hns been set up temporarily under the Mmieter of Defence- for this purpose. Captain 11. 1. B. Drew, a journalist with war experience, hns charge of the work., The Minister of Defence (Sir James, Mien) stated yesterday that all public department* and all organisations, religious institutions, and societies which had in any way contributed to the successful prosecution of the war had been asked by circular to compile statements for filing in the records office.- Much vduabieVterial for historical purposes was now in the possession of the Government and the Defence Department, and this wns being collected for tho records officer to sort out, classify,, and hie. Tho records that were hems collected, added the Minister, would be available for immediate historical purposes and for future accredited commentators, ana would also stand as a complete record for tho information of thoeo who in years to come might have to. deal mtli , war activities. The officer in charge, , Captain Drew had studied the methods adopted by the British, Canadian, .and Australian records offices. The Minister hoped that the people who had been asked to help would recognise the importance of the work and lend all the ossistance in their,power.