SOLDIERS’ GRAVES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 93, 13 January 1921, Page 4

SOLDIERS’ GRAVES

WORK TO BE DONE IN NEW ZEALAND. On Tuesday the Hon. G. J. Anderson (Minister of Internal Affairs) paid a visit to Featherston in order to make an inspection of the soldiers’ graves there. Yesterday he told a reporter that he had been much impressed with the value ol the work done by Miss Card and a committee of ladies, with the assistance of the Featherston Council, to keep the graves neat and orderly in appearance. Considering that there -was no kerbing, the graves had been kept in the most creditable state possible. “AVe are taking steps immediately,” the' Minister stated, “to have kerbing put round. A meeting of the War Gravca Committee was held to-day, and the attention necessary for the soldiers’ cemeteries was considered thoroughly. In. Featherston I took the advice of the local people about what should, be done, and ,as a result I had certain proposals to put before the committee. I hope work in the Featherston cemetery will 'be commenced within a few weeks. AVe shall afterwards proceed to deal with the cemeteries in Wellington and Auckland, and attention will later be given to the cemeteries where the soldiers’ graves are few'er. The matter is now being actively taken in hand, and if the necessary material can be obtained the work should be completed tor the end of the year.” The Government was prepared, Mr. Anderson added, to attend to the graves of all soldiers -who died during the time thev were in camp or within three months of the, closing of the camps, and would carry out the work on a uniform plan, but relatives who wished to do the work themselves would be permitted to do so. He hoped within a few days to visit the graves atKarori.