KING GEORGE V. MEMORIAL.

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 59, 25 March 1937, Page 4

KING GEORGE V. MEMORIAL.

The Prime Minister has made personal appeal to the people of New Zealand to provide a fitting memorial of the late King George V. The intention is to establish permanent Children 's Health Camps, with two in each Island, to be the centres of the whole movement. The Government will vote the sum of £25,000, and will subsidise all donations after the fund has reached £50,000. It is hoped that the national effort will realise £100,000. The appeal has been somewhat delayed, and unprecedented events since the death of King George V. have diverted attention from the wonderful record of his reign. The nations of the world regretted the passing of one who had been a great constitutional monarch, a lover of peace and a ruler who had closely identified himself with the life of the people. Such a ruler and such a reign should be commemorated. Great figures in the past conquered countries, won great battles, swayed the destinies of empires by their ruthless courses. King George V. did none of these things, but in the da.rkest days through which the British Empire was ever called upon to pass he inspired his people by his splendid example, shared with them the stress and strain, and never doubted that success would be won. The form of the national memorial which it is proposed that New Zealand shouhj provide will make a strong appeal. It will be not only a lasting but also a living memorial, providing facilities for improving the health of the children and so doing much to ensure for them a happy life. This surely must be the best kind of memorial. It brings a lasting good, • spreading its beneficent influence throughout the eountry from generation to generation. In the Mother Country part of the memorial fund is to be used to provide playing areas for the children, so that the New Zealand choice will be in keeping with that of the people at Home. The decision reached there, as doubtless here, was influenced by the knowledge that matters such as these made a strong appeal to the late King. He was deeply interested in the welfare of the children,' and, with members of the Royal family, showed tliat interest in many practical ways. His Majesty King George VI. has approved of this memorial, instetid of any that might have been suggested ro mark his coronation, a decision that gives it the most convincing endorsement. As Mr. Savage has ^tated the matter is altogether outside politics. It is purely a movement whereby a grateful people will provide a suitable memorial to a good King, make provision that his reign will not be forgotten as the years pass, a.nd ensure that great end by promoting the health, the happiness, and the welfare of tlie children of this land.