THE WAR MEMORIAL

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11422, 19 January 1923, Page 3

THE WAR MEMORIAL

“LET IT BE A WORTHY ONE.” (To the Editor, “N.Z. Times.”) Sir, —When writing my modest little letter on the 10-1-23, 1 had no idea that it was, like the surgeon’s knife when rightly handled, going to reach the spot. But a long article from Mr J. P. Firth, C.M.G., and a leading article from a. morning paper, shows that it reached an important point, in the history of the above object. I am pleased, and wish to add to my first effort by saying that Mr Firth’s article is only special pleading to save the lagging efforts of those who should have moved two or three years ago. Now, as to the matter of the amount of money that has been asked set of people who will voluntarily give £IO,OOO is the amount asked for, and it will be very hard for them to get more. It’s as big as the mind of the committee’s opinion of great work they have in hand. 'God generally has some object in all His works, and He may have caused the delay and lethargy that I am complaining of for the purpose of letting the people of Wellington wake up to their duty, so that they might do it properly. I cannot see, by any way of thinking, how Vvellington can be satisfied with a tiny toy of symbolical kind that can at this time of day in any way be appropriate to or in accord with the site, or the object in view. God knows that thoso who lost their dear ones in the great struggle, that saved the old flag the right to float over, not only New Zealand, but the whole of the British Empire, are still in their sorrowful i frame of mind. Still, you only want ito see an audience of them gathered together to hear some silver-tongued | orator tell of the grand deeds of those who went west in that grim and j ghastly fight for liberty. Then you | will see a change. Their hacks will [Straighten up, their eyes sparkle, the i mournful faces will change into/ a j proud sinile, and you can almost hear them say, “My boy or girl was in that stirring fight.” And then see them as they walk out of the hall or park. Their faces are no longer downcast, or mournful, but with head up, brisk step and a look -in their eyes and a smile on their faces that says, “I am as proud as I can be, that my dear one was able to help to keep the old flag flying, so don’t pity me any more, hut shout the praises of those dear ones that have gone.” That is the Spirit that should permeate the people of Wellington and the memorial committee in the work they have in nand. Don’t he small in this matter; get right on to business, as did the patriotic societies in the war' days, and then Wellington will have something that posterity will be able to say: “Our progenitors were grand people, a,nd the boys and girls of 1914-15-16-17-18 must have been super-men and super-wo men.” In a few days, sir, I will send you a set of sketches of the site and adornment, as a lasting and fitting tribute by Wellington’s citizens to the 17,000 who paid the extreme sacrifice on its behalf. Hoping to help the good object along, I am, etc., “A TENDERFOOT.” Wellington, 16-1-23.