WAR CEMETERIES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 65, 28 December 1935, Page 8

WAR CEMETERIES.

CARE OF GRAVES. BRITISH, GERMAN, AND FRENCH. (Special to the “ Guardian.”) WELLINGTON, December 27. Full details of the agreement reached by the Imperial War Graves Commission for the care of German war graves in British territories, in British cemeteries in France, and of British war graves in Germany, have been announced by the Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry). Mr Parry said the Government had received a cablegram from the High Commissioner for New Zealand (Sir James Parr) stating that at a conference held in Britain on October 9, 10, and 11, at which the vice-chairman of the Imperial War Graves Commission (Sir Fabian Ware) and M.L. Intendant General Vincensini met German representatives, it was unanimously decided to recommend the establishment of a joint committee, representing the Governments of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Newfoundland, and India, the Government of Germany, and the Government of France, for discussion and settlement of adminnstrative questions relating to the care of German war graves in British territories, in British cemeteries in France, and of British war graves in Germany. An agreement for this purpose suggested by the conference has now been approved by all the Governments concerned and signed, and a joint committee would forthwith be appointed. In constitution it will be similar to Anglo-French, Anglo-Belgian, AngloItalian, and the other committees which the Imperial War Graves Commission have found so useful in the conduct of its work since the war. Gratification is expressed that a similar agreement, has now been concluded with Germany. A sure foundation has thus been laid on which the former belligerent countries may be permanently associated in the honouring and common remembrance of their dead of the Great War.