MONUMENT TO EARL HAIG

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 113, 10 February 1928, Page 9

MONUMENT TO EARL HAIG

TO BE ERECTED AT THE PUBLIC CHARGE DECISION OF HOUSE OF COMMONS ELOQUENT TRIBUTE TO LATE FIELD-MARSHAL Rugby. February 8 The House of Commons adopted a resolution in favour of erecting a monument st the public charge to Earl Haig. Mr. Baldwin paid an eloquent tribute to the late Field-Mar-shal, which was endorsed by Labour and Liberal speakers, who all laid special emphasis on Earl Haig’s work after the war in helping ex-service men. The establishment of some institution to carry on this work was generally favoured.—British Official Wireless.

BY Telegraph.—Press association. Copyright. (Rec. February 9, 7.30 p.m.) London, February 8. In .the House of Commons, Mr. Baldwin, .in proposing a resolution that the King be asked to direct that a monument be erected to Earl Haig’s memory at the public charge, with an inscription expressing the admiration of the House ior the illustrious career, and gratitude ior his illustrious services to the State, said the amount for such a monument varied from £5OOO to £7OOO. It was too early yet to decide the ultimate place ot any statesmen or soldiers in the world war, but Earl Haig, by common consent, was one of the great figures. His country, recognised in him what they value most in a man—steadfastness, absolute and complete integrity, a man to whom a mean thought or a mean act was impossible, who was loyal to everybody in the Armv, and, what was even more difficult, loyal to the civil governing power. His humble spirit made itself felt throughout the British Army, and was no small factor in the morale of these great forces. “He was one of the few men I would choose as worthy, to be laid by Sir Walter Scott. He was, indeed/a perfect gentleman and a knight. We now want a simple monument, at which men of the British Legion can lay their poppies, and, showing it to their children, say; ‘There he is.’ ” Sir. ]. R. MacDonald said that to some war was such a terrible calamity that a man associated with -t tended to become a symbol of battle and bloodshed. “As a consequence we have viewed the names of great soldiers in a false perspective. In the latter part of his life Earl Haig revealed the whole man to us. No exsoldier, or widow, or orphan, of a dead soldier, failed to find the way to Earl Haig’s heart. He fought many batI ties, none more nobly than Hie last, i on behalf of suffering humanity.” Mr. MacDonald expressed regret at the Government proposal taking the form of a marble memorial, instead of lionouring Earl Haig by caring for the ex-servicers, whom Earl Haig cared for. He moved an amendment that a select committee inquire into the best method of honouring Earl Haig’s memory. After Sir R. Hutchison, on behalf of the Liberals, and Major J. B, Cohen, the legless member for the Fairfield division of Liverpool, had spoken, -Mr. J. H. Thomas urged that there should be no division on the amendment, as it would be misunderl stood in the country. Mr. MacDonald’s amendment, however, was r?iected by 22 0 votes to 103, and Mr. Bald- ' win’s resolution was agred to.— A.P.Aand “Sun.”