VISITORS TO THE WAR GRATES.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16881, 8 July 1920, Page 3

VISITORS TO THE WAR GRATES.

SUGGESTED ARRANGEMENTS

(pp.om orn owx cobre-Tpon'dent.)

LONDON, May iO.

Sir Thomas Mackenzie, as High Commissioner for New Zealand; recently, on two occasions, called meetings -of New Zealanders in London in connexion with matters relative to the New Zealand Red Cross.

At the first of these meetings it was agreed that the Rev. M. Mullineux, M.C. (late Captain-Chaplain X.Z.E.F.), should be appointed with adequate allowances, to give all the necessary information and help to New Zealand travellers en route to the war zone cemeteries. At the second meeting those present endorsed that resolution, with the addition that tho recommendation should go tlirough to Mr F. aidegrave, the New Zealand Red Cross Commissioner in this country. At present Sir Waldegrave is in tho South of France, and as lie will not arrive in London until the.end of the month.the decision meanwhile will not be given effect to.

Those present at the sor-onti meeting were: Mr C. F. Bickford (representing the Central Executive of the New Zealand Red Cross), Mr Bom;trd Tripp, 3tis O. F. Wilsr,n, C.8.E., Mr H. T>. X>. ilcLean, Sir James Mills, Mr G. F. Gee, Captain T. E. Donne, Mr I well AV. Raymond, and Mr C. J. Wray. Since the latter meeting was held, a week ago, Mr Bickford has been across to the Continent on a special trip to the battlefields and war cemeteries zones, in his official capacity, .and he reached London late last night. Accompanied by Captain Mullineux, he made a very complete inspection of Nciv Zealand graves, and became thoroughly acquainted with the arrangements contemplated by him to aid New Zealanders who are desirous of making special visits to the graves of their relatives. As the result of his personal enquiries and experiences, Mr Bickford is quite satisfied that it is absolutely I essential that full support should bo given to Captain Mullincus's organisation.

It will In; remembered that in November last, having: wound up the Church of England affairs (N.Z.35.F.) in France, Captain Mullineux went to America to raise funds for liis. project, as ho very soon saw how necessary it was that tourists on their journevsto war graves should receive every assistance, and that the establishment oE hostels where they might spend a few night-s would bo an inealculal)le boon, and an immense saving of expense and anxiety. The trip to America was successful, enabling him to jjrovide hostels at Calais, Boulogne, Amiens, and Bethune by 3larch last; also he was equipped with two cars. He recognised the need for further funds to extend the work and to provide more cars, hut, having faith, ho intended to forge ahead. MR BICKFORD'S IMPRESSIONS. Mr Bickford has come back full of enthusiasm for the splendid work that is already being done. Ho says the hostels are run on the finest lines, andi that thev are conducted by ladies who fully understand their work. Sirs Helena Barker is the superintendent in) charge; she and all her helpers are sympathetic, helpful, capable, and tactful, and they know exactly how to' assist travellers to wa.r gra.ves, whose mission, of course, is always a pathetic one. All these ladies are familiar with the battlefields zone, bccause they have been in France throughout the war. Some were originally attached to the Church Army, but now they belong to a body working under the title of the St. Barnabas Hostels. At present Captain Mullineux Iras three motor-cars, driven hy lady V.A.D. workers, who, of course, are thoroughly acquainted with tho location of the different cemeteries. The travellers iland in France, having previously found from the War Graves Commission or the High Commissioner's department tho number of the grave they wish to visit and the name of the cemetery. From that time onward all is without harass or anxiety for them. Mr Bickford gives <is the outside cost . from London back to London of a wargrave tourist, who places herself under the care of Captain Mullineux, the sum of £5. For this very moderate amount she stays at one of the hostels and is driven to the desired cemetery, and has a return ticket to London. In the estimated charge a small amount is included for wear and tear of the car,_ cost of tyres, petrol, etc. And the figure mentioned is quite an outside one, for, as a matter of fact, the cost has bce-n known to "work out at well under £5 per head. Captain Mullineux; intended at tho outset tiiat only a very moderate tariff should rule, while tho genuinely poor were to be looked after gratis, so far as funds would allow. It will bo recollected that not long since a lady was asked £35 for the journey to Lens and black—two nights in France! Sho could not afford this sum, anxious though she was to see tho grave of her : aon. Captain Mullineux offered to take her, and the total cost for the two- came | to less than £14. although a French car ! had to he hired and there were hotel I bills to pay. "When I am ready," ho i remarked to your London correspondent, "this sum can be cut in two. Ib is worth while, 1 think."' And it seems that, judging from recent estimates, ho might have ventured the prediction that it could bo cut in three.

A TWO YEARS' ESTIMATE. "I feel certain," said Mr Bickford this morning, "that when the people of New Zealand are in possession of the full facts they will willingly allocate a X>oi-tion of their present lied Cross funds to see that this splendid work is carried out. 'Ihe . possibly, would lie improved by a few minor alterations that would put it on a, more business-like basis. The sum of £XX)00 should fully cover the cost of the work for a period of two years. One lias only to visit the devastated areas to realise tile hopeless and helpless position of any 2Cew Zealander trying to lc»ok, without aid, for :v war grave. The estimated charge per head is inlinitesimal, and the trip is made with the utmost case. Attempted under any otner cotiu!tioiis it would coit six or seven times the amount.

Mr Bickford s New Zeaiiuul lriends will be sorry to hear that since he arrived in England, in February, he has had a severe nervous breakdown as the result, of course, of continuous strain during the -war. He was able, however, to attend the conference at Geneva, and he hopes to make a complete recovery daring the outward voyage. He sails from Toulon by the Osterley on -May ilHh, and he hopes to have a meeting of the executive of the Red Cross in Wellington immediately on arriving in Xew Zealand.

Since Mr Bernard Tripp (Timaru) returned from ;i ionr of inspection witli the Imperial Y»"ar Graves Commission in i'Vanee and Ueluium, lie has been interesting himself in connexion y. ith Caprain Mullineux'.s organisation. Ho finds that the Canadian Red Cross has opened hostels at Calais and throughout the battlefields area, as well as at 20 Prince's Gardens, London. The Canadian lied Cross Commissioner (Colonel Blaylock) has asked Atr Tripr> to make it known to all Now Zealanders who wish to rome to England with the object of visiting jrraves of their relatives in France and Belgium, that they will be welcome to stay at the London hostel for the fee of 8s per day, while charges at hostels in Franc" will be equally reasonable. Mr Tripp makers the suggestion that the New Zealand Red Cross should appoint on officer at Calais to meet all Neiv Zc-alanders and dir.ect them while they are there.