THE BALLANCE MEMORIAL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1106, 12 May 1893, Page 38

THE BALLANCE MEMORIAL.

We join in the hope that the determination of Wanganui to get up a memorial to the late Premier may not endanger the success of the national movement in the same direction. Wanganui is, of course, perfectly right to do honour to the citizen who made such a fine record in the place. It would be the height of ingratitude if the man who did so much for the town and.district were allowed to pass away without a sign. The sentiment is, we repeat, most creditable to Wanganui whose people cannot forget the long list of Mr Balance's services, extending.from the days of the last war, through the time of provincial abolition to the last hour of a useful life. Nevertheless we think that Wanganui can join with the rest of New Zealand. There is no occasion to give up the idea of a local memorial. If a statue is erected in Wellington, that is not a reason why a statue should not be also erected in Wanganui. In other countries statues of public men abound everywhere. The greater their services, in fact, the more numerous are their statues. A statue, moreover, is a thing limited in cost. But there is no reason why tho fund being raised for the commemoration of a statesman should be limited in any way. There may be a difference of opinion as to the method of investing the fund—what is left of the fund, that is to say, after provision has been made for the cost of a statue. Whether a scholarship is to be founded, or many scholarships, or a library, or'a home, for the aged—that is a minor question. Let "the fund be subscribed, and New Zealand will be only too glad to differ,about its expenditure. It is obvious that if this fund is to be worthy of its object the subscription must be general. Now if any considerable district like Wanganui remains aloof, with the best motive be it understood, the subscription cannot be general. The consequence in that case will be that the fund will not be worthy of its object. It is for the people of Wanganui to consider this matter fully. They are now asked to undertake to subscribe to two objects the erection of a statue and the foundation of a scholarship. There is nothing to prevent them from dividing their subscriptions between a local statue and a general fund, be it for a scholarship or for any other object. Division will promote best the object they have in view. They will get thereby a good statue, and they will take part in making the general menrorialwhat it ought to be. In that case care can, of course, be taken, if they wish it, that no part of their subscription shall be devoted to a second statue. We do not know if they would care to make any such condition, but if they would —and it is a natural enough condition for them—their, wishes cau very easily be respected. But this is a detail. The main point is that it is well for them not to st'ind aloof from the rest of New Zealand in this matter. After all, they honour the memory of Mr Ballance. They will therefore, we feel sure, do what is right.