AFTER THE WAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23879, 1 February 1941, Page 11

AFTER THE WAR

MEMORIALS QUESTION CARE IN EXPENDITURE COMMENT BY MINISTER [by telegraph own correspondent], WELLINGTON', Friday A question concerning memorials in Now Zealand alter the war was mentioned incidentally during the hearing of a deputation by the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. \Y. I*]. Parry. It was stated the people of all British countries were naturally wont to signify any great event or happening by the establishment of memorials. When an armistice was declared in the present war it could be assumed that the thoughts of men and local bodies of New Zealand would lie in favour of all kinds of memorials to the heroism of the fighting forces. A speaker said that, though lie could understand ..the sympathy of the people and their feelings leading them to support the erection of memorials, still it had to be recognised that far too much money was expended on some memorials erected after the end of the Great War. Mr. Parry said he appreciated tho viewpoint expressed. In his opinion the best memorial a country could establish to its men of the war was the one which helped the funds being raised for the rehabilitation of the men and for the dependants of tho men who had paid the supreme .sacrifice. "1 agree, in addition," the Minister added, "that it would be worth considering the suggestion of inscribing the names of those who had fallen on the plaques of the present memorials which have prominence in every city and in almost every town of the Dominion."