Graves Of The Fallen.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 January 1922, Page 4

Graves Of The Fallen.

WORK OF FRENCH HOSTELS

PLAN TO ESTABLISH NEW ZEALAND HOSTEL AT YPRES.

WELLINGTON, Jan 27. “A little over two years ago, a widow who visited her husband’s grave m France had to pay £35 for 1 the journey from London to Loos and hack. Now it costs her £4,' and she is provided with a French guide free of charge. The Rev. M. Mullmeux, the ex-in-ternational Rugby footballer, yyho has been rendering most valuable serviqp in France in connection with soldiers craves, visits of next-of-kin, cemeteiy photographs, etc., grew eloquent as he described the work done by the hostels ! in France, in a chat with a repre-scn- | tative of the “Times” last night, prior : to his departure for Invercargill, where i he commences (a Dominion lecturing tour to-morrow. i Padre Mullineux has planned his South Island tour, under the auspices of the Red Cross Society. His lecture dates are as follows: —January 28th., Invercargill; January 30th. Gore; January 31st Balcluttha; February Ist, Dunedin; February 2nd, Oamaru; Fehrary 3rd, Tim aru; February 4th, Ashburton ; February sth, Sumner (preaching), February 6th Christchurch; February 7th Greymouth; February Bth. Hokitika; February 9tb, Westport; February 10th, Nelson; February llth, Blenheim; February 14th, Wellington. The itinerary for the North Island tour is being amended, and will be available in ai couple of days. EXPLOITING WIDOWS.

At the latter end of 1919. the Rev. Mullineux came across a number of people trying to find the graves of theii husbands and sons. There were no inquiry bureaux, no cemetery registers and no War Graves Commission. Taxidrivers and liotel-keepers were exploiting the pilgrims to the fullest extent. Many of them, returned home ised and disconsolate, not having succeeded in finding the graves of their relatives. “Here was an opportunity for the Red Cross to do valuable v-ork, and bring consolation and comfort to bereaved women and children. On making inquiries, however, I learned that their charter would not permit the English Red Cress employing its funds for this purpose. We . had a little meeting and secured a little house m Calais, where people could get the information they needed. From this little step the work grew so rapidly that we have now regular hostels in Calms, Boulogne, Amiens, Arras and Bethvme and, in other towns in the battlefield area we arrange for the accommodation of pilgrims. CARE OF PILGRIMS.

“We intended that our operations would come to an end within two years! blit wo found that in the second year there were twice as many pilgrims as in the first. We now see that it will be necessary to iarry on for five years, because it will take that time to complete the cemeteries. An Australian lady is in charge of the Calais hostel the Canadians purchased the ono at Arras, and the people from the Home countries purchased the others. “We are verj- anxious to acquire a hostel in Ypres, but until now bar 1 not seen a suitable building there. N"\v we have an opportunity of buying an ideal property, and it is our intent on to ask the people of New Zealand for the sum of £2,500 to acquire this house The new hostel will, like the oth * s be controlled by a lady superintendent, who, in the Ypres case, should be a New Zeaander. The hostel will be a valuable asset in the matter of procuring official photographs df kraves. A DESERVING OBJECT. “I travelled 7,600 miles to get 841 photographs. *IOO of which were of the graves of • New Zealanders. The cost was £3OO. I am sure that when the people of New Zealand are made aware of the need for funds the money will bo forthcoming. We have a house in view and can purchase it for £2,500. Pilgrims who write for information are supplied with particulars, such as trnln timetable, list and prices of hostel accommodation, which are as low ns 8s per day. Copy of the ‘details’ letter is kept, so that when the pilgrim actually arrives he or she is taken in hand at once, given rooms, taken to the railway and supplied gratis with an intelligent French guide. A‘AU) the wforkers in the hostels give their services free,” said Mr Mullineux, “except a paid secretary and French cooks. If the Ypres house is acquired it will be sold at a profit of course, after doing service for three years. Any profits that will accrue will be devoted to a New Zealand /general fund foi‘ disabled soldiers, widows and orphans. If a New Zealand lady, with private means, volunteers for the work success is assured.” Mr Mullineux added that he would be pleased to acknowledge any subscriptions if sent to him in care of Mr T. Munt, chairman of the Red Cross Society at Wellington.