GRAVES OF SOLDIERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17297, 22 October 1919, Page 8

GRAVES OF SOLDIERS.

VISITS FROM RELATIVES.

GOVERNMENT SYMPATHETIC.

" A DIFFICULT PROBLEM." [BY TELEGRAPH.SPECIAL BEFOBTEB ]

WELLINGTON, Tuesday. In the House of Representatives to-day Dr. Thacker (Christchurch East) asked the Prime Minister if something could be done to enable widows and mothers to visit the graves of their relatives who had fallen in France. He admitted that t was a somewhat difficult matter for the Government to undertake.

Mr. Massey agreed that it was a very difficult problem. It had already been under the consideration of the Government owing to letters that had been received by the Minister for Defence. The Government was willing to do everything it could, but nothing could be done before the end of the present year." Mr. W. T. Jennings (Taomarunui) asked whether any steps could be taken to have the remains of soldiers buried in France and Gallipoli removed to Great Britain or New Zealand.

Mr. Massey replied that he had already had this question Drought under his notice when he was in England and France, and in every case the request was refused by the Imperial authorities. They set their face against it altogether, a* it would restilt only in chaos. The graves >of our men, he added, were being well taken care of in France and Belgium. He could not say the same in regard to GaJJipoli, but it* was intended to have them looked after in the same way.