A MEMORIAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1262, 18 October 1911, Page 4

A MEMORIAL.

THE FOUNDER OF NEW ZEALAND. GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY PROMISED. Tho member for Avon, Mr. G. W. Rus. Nell, asked tho Government, in Parliament yesterday, to place u sum on Uio Estimates to provide a monument for Edward Gibbon Wakriield, tho founder 01 Now //oaland. lie recalled tho fact that Sir Joseph Ward, wliilo in London, had spoken in sympathetic terms of the proposal to erect a Wakclicld memorial. It seemed to him a strange omission that nothing had yet been done to perpetuaig tlie memory oi one who hail uono so much lor Sxsw Zealand in its early days. Mr. James Allen supported tho proposal. He. would bo giad to hear that tho Prinio .Minister was prepared" to assist those who woro raising hinds in England. The Government might subsidise, pound for pound, a memorial to bo creeled in Wellington. Mr. T. M. Wiilord stated that tho i inanco Committee had that day decided to recommend tho City Council to cooperate in tho movement to establish a Wnkeh'eld memorial. The committee had also advised tho council to invilo i'roicssor J . llignt, of Canterbury College, to come to Wellington in iurthcrnnco of the project. It was considered advisable that the matter should bo held over until tho early part of next year. Mr. G. M. Thomson considered that it would bo a mistake to ask the Government to initiate this movement. Tho proper plan would be to form committees throughout the country, and, invoking the aid of the press, collect numerous Email subscriptions. This done, tho Government might bo asked to provide a subsidy. Mr. \Y. T. Jennings recorded a protest against so much public money being expended in memorials and statues. In America 'iiemorials were erected by voluntary contributions. Sums provided by the Government in this country ho looked upon as an absolute waeto of publio money. Sir Joseph Ward disagreed with the momber for Taumaranui, and said ho considered that tho memory of the founder of New Zealand should bo perpetuated. It would bo a mistake to grudge the comparatively small amount spent in perpetuating tho memory of great men. A, broad view Bhould ho taken. In addition to tho ordinary affairs of life, some attention should be paid to its liner Bides. Ho also disagreed with tho member for JJnnedin North. Tho proposed memorial, if it wero to do justice to tho memory of Edward Gibbon Wnkeficld, should bo a national work. He was prepared to make provision, for a pound for pound subsidy oil tho cost of a suitable'statue. Mr. F. M. B. Fisher said it was quite evident that action by the Government was necessary in order that people might bo stimulated to subscribe. Ho would guarantee that any member who turned up Hansard would find that Mr. \Vakciield had made ono of the finest speeches ever made upon tho Constitution of Ncvr Zealand. Yet Wellington had not even recognised his services by naming a street after him.