HIGH COMMISSIONER IN PARIS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17756, 7 May 1923, Page 11

HIGH COMMISSIONER IN PARIS.

TRIBUTE TO FRENCH DEAD. (ntOU OVB OWN COHBESPONDBMT.) .LONDON, March 20. While in France this week, to sign, on behalf of the Government of New Zealand, a protocol modifying Article 5 of the Air Convention, Sir James Allen took the opportunity of visiting the studio of Monsieur Desruellcs to inspect the work which has been done on the New Zealand Memorial for Le Quesnoy. The sculpture is well advanced and will be finished in May, and it is hoped the completed sculptured marble will be fflaeed in position on the Le Quesnoy wall soon after. ' The High Commissioner, was exceedingly pleased with what he saw, and thinks that the memorial will be beautiful, impressive, and unique. He thanked Monsieur Desruellcs,. not only for 'the fine artistic work, but for his kindly generosity in associating with himself Mr A. E. Fraser, the New Zealand sculptor, who had done so much in preparing the model which, with some modifications, has been used by the French artist. Monsieur Desruelles has also nearly finished a beautiful pieces of sculpture which Le Quesnoy is erecting in memory of thy French" soldiers who lost their lives in the original defence of the town against the Germans. A space will be left below the sculpture for the pur-, pose of engraving the names of the citizens Of Lo Quesnoy who lost their lives in the war, and the names of three New Zealanders who died in the operations around Le Quesnoy. The High Commissioner, believing the people of New Zealand would desire him to pay respect to the Unknown French Warrior who lies under the Arc do Triomph, laid on the grave a wreath bearing tho following inscription: — "To our gallant French Comrades —a tribute from New Zealand—J. Allen, High Commissioner." Commandant Piraud, representing the French Minister of War, accompanied Sir James, and Colonel Lord Graham, Military Attache, Paris, officially attended from the Embassy. Captain Itoper (Secretary-General of the International Commission for Air Navigation), Mr S. Hurst Seager (Architect for the New Zealand War Memorials), and Mrs Hurst Seager were also present.