WAR HISTORY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17815, 13 June 1918, Page 4

WAR HISTORY.

NEW ZEALAND'S PART. A MONTJMENTAL WORK. [From Otra Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, June' 12. ' In his anpeal to the public for data of value in compiling a New Zealand history of the war. the Minister of Defence lias foreshadowed a monumental work, judging by the care which is being taken to lay the foundations. When over 100,000 of our best men take part in the great adventure, tho 1 history of the Dominion's share is well worth a careful chronicle. The first steps consist of an attempt to gather together tho "raw material,' ready for tho historian, whoever he may be. Tliis interesting point is so far unsettled. I believe it is intended to get, if possible, a good writer who has had actrual experience of tho campaign. The Gallipoli epitode, for instance, is ready to hi made. Meanwhile, the work of collecting data from private soldiers is &oing on, and the active assistance of the general publia is being enlisted. Parents ami friends who have interesting letters containing matter of historical valua should send them to the Minister of Defence. There need bo no fear of losing these letters, which, of course, may be of priceless value to the owners, for the system to be followed is to make the necessary extracts, and to either send an acknowledgment within a few days, or send back the actual letter with promptitude. Tha extract will be filed according to a system which the historian will pppreciato, for if he is writing up, say/ tho landing at Gallipoli, he will find, under that classification of war literature, all the matter received which deals with that phase. Thousands of letters about tho Gallipoli campaign appeared in the New Zealand Press, and cuttings of the valuable ones should be sent to tho Defence Minister. The work of classification is in good hands, and it is being sepatated from the final task of absorbing and compiling the mass into something readable and adequate to the great exploits of New Zealand'? gallant soldiers.