KING EDWARD MEMORIAL.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 83, 5 October 1910, Page 11

KING EDWARD MEMORIAL.

WHAT NEW ZEALAND MIGHT DO. [fkom our own correspondent.] LONDON, 19th August. Very few of the New Zealanders who are at present in England have remained in town during the last few weeks. Consequently the response was rather poor to a circular which I addressed to a number of the more prominent asking for their opinion on the N King Edward Memorial question. The point at issue is whether New Zealand would be wise in contributing to a memorial in London. Here are some of the replies : — Dr. Levinge's reference is ,to the total absence of New Zealand from the Queen VictoriaMemorial, to which the Dominion gave £15,000. Sir Westby Perceval : "I certainly think any memorial contemplated by New Zealanders should take a local shape. I would much prefer to see this rather than a participation in any movement here. The people in New Zealand will be able to settle what form the memorial' should take. Personally, I think a memorial! should be personal, and serve as a reminder." Mr. J. Cathcarfc Wason, M.P. : "New Zealand might well join in a national memorial to tliß late King Edward in erecting a monument to Captain. Cook. Such would be a great recognition of a great man, and would appeal largely to the national sentiment, which in every way should be encouraged." Lady Stout: "I think it would be better for New Zealand to participate in the British memorial," which should take tha form of some big hospital scheme. My idea would be to collect a large sum, called the King Edward Memorial Hospital Endowment Fund, to be applied to freeing all the London hospitals from debt.' ? Mr. A. W. Rutherford (Amuri) thinks some visitors from the Dominion, and also some people who finally severed their oversea connections, niay favour a London statue or memorial, "but I can hardly think that the- majority of visitors whose homes are out of Great Britain would do so. I well remember how bitterly the promise of £15,000 to the Queen Victoria Memorial was resented. If New Zealand is going to erect a memorial or statue it should be in Wellington." Mr. I. W. Raymond (Invercargill) : "I have maintained that such a memorial: should be essentially Imperial, and New Zealand's contribution to the Imperial fund should be an individual or personal one. lam sure that all sections there would feel privileged at the opportunity of joining forces with co-Imperialists here." Dr. E. G. Levinge (Christchurch) : "Strongly of opinion that New Zealand should erect its own apart altogether from tho question of any "joint Empire memorial which may be erected in England. As regards the latter, much would depend on the form. I would npt approve contributing to the rebuilding or embellishment of Buckingham Palace, nor the erection of a general hospital. It should be more distinctly personal and Imperial. Bearing in mind the apparently still unrepresented contribution of New Zealand to the -Queen Victoria Memorial, I think greater safeguards are needed that New Zealand's share should not be so completely hidden or to make it appear that our Dominion is about the only part of the Empire that failed to contrihute, whereas we ga^e a comparatively large sum." As regards a memorial in the Dominion, Dr. Le,7inge considers it should typify the great qualities and virtues of the late King. Mr. J. E. Davenport (Christchurch): "I feel that something worthy of New Zealand will bo done in the Dominion, and beyond those resident in this country you will not meet with much, success.''