SOLDIERS' GRAVES AND HEADSTONES.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1917, Page 7

SOLDIERS' GRAVES AND HEADSTONES.

ACTION OF IMPERIAL AND DOMINION GOVERNMENTS. By Wire.—Parliamentary Reporter Wellington, Last Xight. In the House to-day, Sir James Alls* referred to the graves of New Zealaad soldiers in Britain and clsoahere. Bi* said be hail received a letter from tin High Commissioner reporting the dacision of the Imperial Government to provide, free oi' cost, the land required for the graves of New Zealand soldier*, dyjnc in the United Kingdom. Before the Imperial Government cam# to this decision, a plot of ground had bees purchased in Brookwood cemetery and reserved as a burial place for Now Zealand soldiers dying at Walton and other hospitals within easy' access. The Imperial Government having taken over the liability for all ground allocated to the New Zealand Expeditonary Force for graves, thi? particular plot at Blackwood was included in the arrangement, and, if necessary, additions would be mndc of ground adjouiing tho plot. A letter from the War Office contained the following statements: "The question of the burial of Dominion soldiers dying in the United Kingdom has been brought to tho notice of the Government, who have decided that a! 1 Dominion officers and men dying in tuis country should ba buried in single graves. Any land acquired for this purpose will be provided at the cost of the Imperial Army f inuU. The government are convinced that it is the unanimous desire of the Mother Country to be allowed to undertake the charge, and to ensure that the last rest-ing-places of these soldiers, who hava died far away from their homes, may realise the wishes of their relatives and kinsfolk overseas, and be worthy o£ the cause iu which they 'lied. The department of the War Cilice concerned iias been instructed to enter into communication -with you, so that effect may be given to this decision with the leiist possible) delay." Sir James Allen added that lis ( au4 tha Minister for Intoraal AJt*r» h»4 been considering designs for a noaoniU he.%ditori« which could ba placad on th# grave* of New Zealand soldiers here and ;vbroad. Some moduli had bt-wi piapared. . pftmeUggf Mr. Rhodes: Quite A <ir fct itones have been erected in Ejjpt already. •Sir James Allen: I dont know that permanent stones have been erected. We wiil have permanent stones as soon as the design has been settled. The New Zealand soldiers' headstones will be the same all over the world.