WAR MEMORIALS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 252, 19 July 1915, Page 2

WAR MEMORIALS.

(To the Editor)

Sir, —Many of the inhabitants of New Zealand will have to mourn the deaths of their riaetives in the war, but their tears will be sweetened with pride and with thankfulness that their deaths with honour saved New Zealand from the dishonour of German Kultur. They will naturally wish to commemorate their patriotism and thus keep it fresh for the encourage ment of those yet unborn. Many more will rejoice at the return of their fathers, sons and brothers, bearing their laurels of victory with them, and they too will be anixous to record their thankfulness in no empty or common measure. In their case no better form could be imagined than the institution of a Training Farm, especially for those who have fought in the same war as those in whose fnonour they ar e created.

Training in England would only teach a lot that would have to be unlearnt in New Zealand, but the institution of such a farm would be of the greatest possible benefit to- the people at home and to the prosperity of th e Dominion.

The only Government having a Training Farm for Immigrants is that of New South Wales, who at their Pitt Town Farm give men and lads the benefit of a three months' free training in the rudiments of agriculture, fruit, poultry, sheep, pifgs, dairy and other forms of farming. The cost is about five shillings a head per week, after allowing for th e value of their labour, but the benefit to the State is an hundredfold greater. This affords the lads an opportunity of recovering their muscles and hardness which unavoidably become reduced on th e voyage, and of getting over their homesickness and the lonesomenes of rural life before they are separated. The distribution of the lads can be don e more carefully htan if a large party had to b e dispersed in a few hours, and the training shows the personal inclinations of the boys themselves, so that they ar e made to fit the jobs ' they prefer and are most suited for.

t The example of Mr Sargood at Wanaka in training parties of British lads to become New Zealand farmers with a three years' course and with graduated wages throughout, is wortfny of being imitated by thousands of other settlers, . and all will find that boys are more interesting than racehorses to keep and train,and less expensive. Thos e who cannot arrange for boys can found domestic training centres for women and girls, especially those who are bereaved by the war. Here the students would learn sewing, knitting, cooking, baking, preserving, the care of poultry flowers and bees, laundry work and general domesticity. The college or centre could be used al3o as a distributing base and home in the Dominion for the immigration in ase of holidays, change or sickness. Deeds are the only worthy form of memorial to those whose actions have helped to mould New Zealand and to make her what she is. Nelson, Marlborough, Cook, Wellington, Palmerston and Grey are commemorated in her place-names. Campbell Park and the Sargood Cadet Farm are examples worthy to b e generally followed at the present time, not only by individuals who hav e th e nieans to raise such memorials and thank-offerings, but the provinces and cities of the Dominion, who should also collectively consider such beneficient works as their duty to their forces, to their own honour, and to th e glorious country they dwell in.

The beauty of New Zealand cannot b e by the erection of statues and groups, however allegorical, which merely serve to emphasise the comparative littleness of man. Her grandeur is her own, and her future greatness, for which her sons have staked and often given their lives, depends upon such worthy memorials being created to develop tier resources, to defen her destinies, and to replenish and increase her inhabitants. It will also be remembered that would-be artistic efforts in churches and elsewhere ar e not included in the acts of mercy mentioned in the Gospels. Thes e advocat e rather practical works of true charity, such as the Memorials above-mentioned. Thosft also diffuse the intentions of the giver over a larger area than do tablets, windows or obelisks, and the naming of them and th«ir object* after metal, ston e or glass have become worn, mutilated and defaced. The well-being 'and employment of the ex-soldiers and of the dependents of the fallen is one of the outstanding duties of the Empire after tihe war, So that th e peaee may extend into our homes as well as throughout the world In .general.—-J ant, etc., THOS. E. SEDGWICK.