MEMORIALS IN FRANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19417, 27 August 1926, Page 11

MEMORIALS IN FRANCE.

LESS EXPENDITURE URGED. DOMINIONS MAY ACQUIESCE. Australian and N.Z, Cable Association. (Reed. 8.35 p.m.) LONDON. Aug. 25. A conference on the subject of war memorials has been held. It was the outcome of the representations made by France at the end of June to the effect that those erected by the Dominions on various battlefields were of a more costly description than the French could afford to erect. As a result of the conference the Dominions are said to be likely to considerably modify . their future memorials in France. An authoritative traveller who has just, returned from the war areas in that country saya he found widespread objection by- the residents to Australia's proposed elaborate national memorial at Villers-Brentonneux, on the Somme. The project might advantageously be reviewed. The unanimous local opinion would probably prefer a portion of the proposed expenditure to be devoted to the endowment of a hospital instead of being used on a costly edifice which in French eyes would inevitably appear to be somewhat bombastic. England, as well as France, is at- present tending in favour of memorials of a more practical character than elaborate pieces of sculpture. T:, , VISIT TO WAR GRAVES. PILGRIMS FROM BRITAIN. BOUND FOR GALLIPOLI. A. and N.Z. LONDON. Aug. 25. A touching scene was witnessed at Victoria station,, when 260 mothers, fathers and children set . out on a pilgrimage to the war graves at Gallipoli, Constantinople and Salonika. The party is to make the journey under the auspices of the. St. Barnabas Society. The pilgrims came from all parts of Britain, without distinction between rich and poor. There will only be one class on the vessel which has been chartered. The party will be the first to land at Suvla Bay since the end of the war. It is accompanied by a trumpeter, who will sound the ''Last Post' <t. alongside the memorial at Cape Helles. This will be followed by one minute's silence. , ;