THE N.Z.E.F.

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 50, 22 November 1919, Page 8

THE N.Z.E.F.

CONFERENCE OF OFFICERS

DISPOSAL OF COLOURS

The conference of senior officers of His Now Xcnlnwi' 'Expeditionary Force continued its hitling-s yesterday, under the chairmanship of Maiov-General Sir A. H. Itussell. K.C.8., K.C.M.(j. li.ejjaj*dinc: the uispof-nl of thirteen colours » resented to service battalions by His Maiestv the King, one for each battalion of the N./i.E.F., except Rifle Brigade battalions, it was decided: "That in order to comply with No. 4U Army Council Instruction, that'the colours be handed over to the tenior available officer of the battalion at the tirno of'tho armistice. In the case of the 3rd battalion the colours be handed over to' tha fipi.ior available officer of the regiment at, the time of the armistice."

Reqimontal. and Canteen Funds, In respect to regimental and canteen funds it ivas resolved:—"(a) That from i j ac:h unit's funds an amount be retained to pav any debts, and from trust fund a sun; be made available for publication of regimental _ histories. Net profits from sales of histories to be paid into regimental fund. That, the balance be nlacc-d with the Treasury {or investment on best possible terms: (b) that prior to November. 1920, tho Ueturnetf Soldiers' Association be, asked to express an opinion on the disposal of the canteen funds, and to send a representative to the conference at which allocation is being determined." Stewart moved: "That, this conference considers in allocation of money a. load should be given In the Upturned Soldiers' Association, the first charge being a certain sum to be handed over to regimental funds of each Territorial \mits created under Territorial scheme: secondly, funds bo devot'ed to scholarships and 'bursaries at secondary schools for the children of all returned solders; thirdly, that the monev be. allocated to widows antf ornhaiis' fund." The motion was curried. Permanent Memorials. Respecting permanent memorials, to the N.Z'.lv.F. and deceased members of the N.Z.E.J'.. the conference passed the two tollowinir resolutions:— "That the form of memorial of Anzac he combined with Australia ' and the 2ftth Indian Brigade." "That; it is the opinion of this conference that a national memorial to commemorate New Zealand's part in the war should bo ei-ccleo' in Wellington, as being the capita! of the Dominion, and that it be of such a nature as would nrovy a source of inspiration to future (fenerations, and that a copv of this resolution he sent to the Minister of Intenia 1 Affairs."

Status of N.Z.R.B. The future status of the New Zealand .Hills Brigade is a matter in which nil members of the "Dinks" nrc interested, a:il the conference resolvt-d: "That. it be a recommendation in the Defence Minister Hint the New Zealand flifle Brigade be retained hs an integral part of the Territorial forces, movidetf this can be giivn effect to without materially hamming the scheme to bp .laid down for the icortrnnisation of the Defence forces."

Rcqimental Historic. T!ip conference car Wed the following resolution with regard to regiment histories"That a central committee be formed here as regards these regimentnl histories, and that each regiment which has not already done so will form a resimental committee to ar,point n writer and to deride salitvv io bp paid him for writing history. The writers can refer to tko central committee frtr recoros, .The central committee shall hayo the nowe: of revising regimental histories, arid would make alterations, corrections, or suggestions as they may'think necessary, npd.shnll give all nssisianc in its no wot. The senior available, officerof each regiment will convene regimental committee.''

Allocation of Trophies, H(.solutions dealing with allocutions of ti'ODhic.s were carried an follow:— "in 1 ! That trophies definitely allocated bv units bo forwarded lo their destinations: lb) that the remainder be pooled, ;iml, after ilift requirements of the tionnl W«r Museum have been satisfied, the balance be allotted to districts prorate. clause (a.) bpiiicr taken into account; in their distribution, and (c) that olHcers commanding districts be instruct-, ed to set 1111 district committees consisting of all Expeditionary Force C.O.'s in their districts to make final distribution." "That, all collective trophies of the Expeditionary Force he collected and handed over to the War Museum when formeo." Band Instruments. The conference decided that all Terril<iri:il bands be properly equipped from the instruments in store from the N.Z.E.F.. and all surplus instruments bo snhl." Soldiers' Memorial Y.M.O.A. Consideration was given to the followin? letter from Mr. ,T. 1,. Hay. general secretary of the Wellington Y.M.0.A., regarding the establishment of a soldiers' mfinr.rial Y.M.C.A.-"During the demobilisation of iho Xew Zealand Division in Germany au nnpeal was mace to the officers and men then with the division for subscription!) towards the cost of erecting in New Zealand a Y.M.C.A. building lo serve as a memorial to the men of the N.Z.E.F. who have laid down their lives during the war. As a result of llie appral the sum of annroximatelv £1200 v.as ;n iscd. The Y.M.C.A. is anxious that steps now be taken to prooc-ed with the scheme, and the following proposal is made. When the *ugge.stion was first made to General Russell. the underlying motive was that the memorial should' be erected in ope of the oririeina.l cities of the Dominion, preferably Wellington as being the capital citv. While the claims of other cities cannot be ignored, yet taking all the fnols into consideration Wellington seems the natural place for the memorial to be established. I therefore suggest that the memorial bs erected in the citv of Wellington, and that it take the form of a Y.M.C.A. building to bn devoted tn bovs' work. The existing provision for this important department of Y.M.C.A. work in Wellington is exceedingly poor, and more adequate accommodation' is urgently needeo'. Tn my iudgment, no better use could lie made of the money than to devote it to the cause of the bovs of this city. Such an object would. T am sure, receive the heartv approval of the returned men as a whole. Tt is suggested rliat the type of building should be on the same lines as the Y.M.C.A. hit! in Sling Camp, though this is a mattfr which can only be de- 1 lermined bv the location of the'building ani the amount of money available. The sum alreadv collecteo' is inadequate to nifet the co*t of the building suggested, aiH in view of the fact 'hat only a small proportion of the N.Z.RF. was included in the original appeal it is suggested that a .further anpeal be made to tf\e returned men who have not lind the onnortunitv of subscribing. Tf this conference endorses the proposal ns outlined above. T would suggest setting up n committee of officers of tho N.Z.E.F. to act in coniunction with representative of (lie Y.M.C.A. in determining Hie 'He a no" tvne of building, and to hke wbnt -'ten? are nectary to ctirrv this scheme to a sncci'«ful conclusion. T should arli] t'lar the above m'nno=iil has Wn subni'tf"(l to the Nnlin'inl Council of the VM.C.A.. and it has their apni'"val." Tlie "onfepiice resolved"Tlint the dnver'iiuenl be ur'cd to nerni't. a sum of .CnC* 1 from war funds account in a>"Tment Mie sum already collclcd bv the '\Y/.TC.I ; \ for the nmw of oiwling a oold'ers' memorial Y.M.C.A. buildi"?, to 1>» devoted *o l»ys' work, in the city of Wellington.''