City's War Memorial

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 109, 11 May 1939, Page 4

City's War Memorial

R.S.A. Says it Should Not be Shifted

‘ ‘DISRESPECT ’ ’ DEPRECATED At the annual general meeting of the Palmerston North branch of the N.Z.R.S.A. last evening it was unanimously resolved that the association is not willing to sanction the removal of the war memorial from its present position. The president (Mr. B. J. Jacobs), on behalf of the City Council, explained than an expression of opinion regarding the proposal to move the memorial would be welcomed by the council, and he add<*d that it was intended, at some future date, to erect a block of civic buildings and that a proposal that the memorial should be shifted to gardens in front of the new building had been discussed. Continuing, he said he knew that there would be a diversity ot'

opinion but he asked members to realise that the Mayor (Mr. A. E. Alausford) and the councillors first wanted an expression of opinion from the returned soldiers, who had a direct interest m the memorial. Mr. Jacobs concluded with the observation that if the memorial was removed, it would be replaced by an electric fountain similar to the one on the Parade at Napier. * ‘ Used as a Grandstand. ’ ’ Mr. A. W. Chapman said that although he had opposed the shifting of the memorial when the matter had been discussed by the executive, he had since realised that, on occasions, the memorial was used as a grandstand, and that he was now in favour of shifting tho memorial. Mr. S. Thomson: Once the memorial is shifted it will cease to be the most important monument in the city and it will take second place to the electric fountain. Mr. J. A. Grant, We, as returned soldiers, pay tribute at the memorial once a year, and I think that we, as individuals, should persuade people not to use the memorial as a grandstand. When it was erected it was put in what was then considered the most prominent position in the city. I suggest that if it is subsequently found advisable to move the memorial, that it should be moved to a position no less prominent. Mr. H. S. D. Rennie: The memorial has certainly become a grandstand, and this meetiug should approach the council to take the necessary steps to deal with people who fail to show it duo respect. Mr. L. A. Newdick: My opinion is that if they shift the memorial it will, in front of civic buildings, become more of a grandstand than it *s at present. Air. G. Rennie: Sydney’s memorial is in a more congested area thau ours. Mr. Jacobs: In Sydney people who disregard the sanctity of the memorial are dealt with by the sheriff. Would London Shift Cenotaph? Air. J. A. Grant then moved, “That this association does not commit itself in any way to the removal of the memorial if it is removed to the most suitable position aud to the satisfaction of the association, aud that immediate re-erection is assured.” This was seconded by Mr. D. Watson. Air. fc>. Shelldrake: I’m a Londoner. 1 wonder what would happen if anyone suggested that the cenotaph should be shifted. I think it would be wrong to shift that memorial. Don’t let them shift it. (Applause.) Air. McKenzie: If the memorial is shifted, will there be any guarantee that it will not be again shifted at somo future date? “Sacred Ground.” The chairman: There could bo no guarantee. If the opinion of this meeting is that the memorial should not be shifted, they should say so. It was then moved by Air. Newdick as an amendment, “That the association is not willing to sanction the removal of the war memorial from its present position.” This was seconded by Air. S. Wright and in half a dozen other places. Air. Allsop: That is sacred ground to me and it will be sacred ground to my children. Air. J. W. Rutherfurd: The first thing to decide is whether we are against suy removal. The amendment was put aud carrie 1 by a substantial majority. It was theu put as the motion and carried unanimously. Air. J. A. G,rant next moved, “That this association views with concern aud with regret the disrespect paid the memorial and that the association requests the City Council to take steps to prevent a continuance.” This was seconded by Air. G. Rennie and carried.