SOLDIERS' GRAVES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3163, 15 August 1917, Page 5

SOLDIERS' GRAVES

IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT'S i OFFER NATIONAL HEADSTONE PROPOSED A statement regarding tho graves of 1 New Zealand soldiers in Great Britain and elsowhore was made in the House of Representatives yesterday by tho Minister of Defonce. Sir James Allen said that he had received tho following letter from tho High Commissioner with regard to the graves of Now Zealand soldiers:—"l have the honour. to enclose copy of a letter received from tho War Oflice relative to the decision of tho Imperial Government to provido free of cost land required for the graves of New Zealand soldjere dying in tho United Kingdom. Beforo tho Imperial Government came to this decision o. plot of ground had been purchased in Brookwood Cemetery, and reserved as .1 burial place for New" Zealand -soldiers dying at Walton at hospitals within easy access. Tho Imperial Government having taken over tho liability for all gTound allocated to tho New Zealand Expeditionary Force for graves, this particular plot at' Brookwood is included in tho arrangement. and, if necessary, additions will be made of ground • adjoining tho plot." The letter from the War Office contained tho following statements: —"The question of tho burial of Dominion soldiers dying in tho United Kingdom has lieen brought to the notice of tho Government, who have decided that all Dominion officers and men dying in this country should bo buried in single graves. Any land acquired for this purpose will be provided at tho cost of the' Imperial Army funds. Tlie Government are convinced that it is the unanimous desire of the Mother Country to be allowed to undertake this charge, and to ensure that the last resting-places of these soldiers who have died far away from their homes, may realise the wishes of their relatives and kinsfolk overseas, andbo worthy of the oause in" which they died. Tho Department of tho War Office concerned has been instructed to enter into communication with you, 60 that effect may be given to this decision with' tho least possible delay." Sir .Tames Allen added that ho and tho Minister of Internal Affairs had been considering designs for a memorial hondslono which could be placed on tho graves of New Zealand soldiers hero and abroad. Soino models had been prepared.

The Hon. I?.. H. Rhodes: Quite a number of headstones have been erected in Egypt already. Sir. James Allen: I don't know thnt permanent stones have been erected. We will havo permanent atones, as soon as the design has bc-cn settled. Th; New Zealand soldier's hcadstono will be the samo all over the world.