NATIONAL WAR MUSEUM

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 231, 24 June 1920, Page 5

NATIONAL WAR MUSEUM

COLLECTIONS. IN NEW ZEALAND. The establishment of a National War Museum was one of the matters considered by tho Board of Science nnd Art at its meeting in Wellington yesterday. ■ A War Museum Committee, consisting of Brigadier-General G. S. Eichardson, Mr. J. Hislop for Internal Affaire), and, Dr. J. a. Thomson (director of the Dominion Museum), was set up by the Government last year, ite chief duty being to arrange for the .proper distribution of war trophies held by the Defence 'Department. Little progress has been. made with this work. About 75 per cent, of the trophies received in New Zealand have been consigned to Territorial units, their capture having been effected by correspondinir unite of the Expeditionary Force. The committee is withholding its recommendations regarding the remaining trophies until the Territorial units make their arrangements.

The committee has recommended that » National War Museum should be established as part of the Dominion Museum, _ but the policy of the Government in this respect has not yet been defined. Meanwhile steps, "have been taken to obtain portraits -in oil colours of all New Zealand holders of the Victoria Cross and of senior officers. Portraits of officers and men who have won distinctions axe ahso being gathered, the collection being ■ restricted to holders of the V.C., D.5.0., and D.C.M., and 1 to senior officers. The museum has acquired a considerable amount of war literature, including transport' magazines and enemy propaganda, and this is being transferred temporarily, with other matter, to the' Turnbull Library. The trophies t'het are to be included in the national collection are being held at Trontham and: elsewhere.

Mr. Hislop informed the members of the board yesterday that he anticipated the distribution of war trophies, to local bodies would begin shortly. It was proposed that the .Government should pay the cost of transport. The board took no further action the members considering that the Government would not agree to erect a War Museum at present.