OUR SOLDIER GRAVES.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 249, 18 October 1920, Page 7

OUR SOLDIER GRAVES.

THE ALTAR OF DUTY. A rather important comnmneiation has been received by the Soldiers' Mothers Leasue from t'.io Minister of Defence in I regard to headstones over eoldiers' graves, Some mothers have been ex-1 pending their gratuity money on the erection of headstones over their eon* when bnried in New Zealand. As the j Government is doing thie work in the cemeteries overseas, a letter was forwarded to the Hon. R. Heaton Rhodt>« asking whether the 'State intended to j put up a uniform gravestone in the soldiers' cemeteries similar to that overseas, and also place the ealdiers' graves in proper order. The 'Defence Minister hae replied that it is the intention of the Government to form military cemtteries where possible in New Zealand. This had been delayed because the Government is anxious to fail into line with the Imperial War Graves Commission, and other Dominions. The scheme is now being outlined and a special com- j mittee has been eet up as an advisory I body concerning burials in New Zealand.; The' design' for the headstone submitted by the Imperial War Graves Commission has been approved; and it is now a question of the most suitable material ob-, taina'hle in New Zealand, as it will be some time before permanent headetoifces aye ready. Instructions have been issued that temporary crosses shall be erected over all unmarked graves in the Auckland cemeteries, also the work of placing the graves in order will be carried out at the earliest possible date. In addition to the headstones, two memorial* will be erected in each soldiers' cemetery, namely. "The Cross of Sacrifice" and "The Altar of Duty."