FIELD OF WATERLOO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21948, 9 May 1933, Page 8

FIELD OF WATERLOO

PRESERVATION THREATENED. The Socialist Deputy of Nivelles, Belgium, M. Matthieu, has brought before the House of Deputies, in Brussels, a Bill which tends to nullify the law passed in March, 1914, to preserve the whole battlefield of Waterloo. The 1914 law aimed at the preservation of the battlefield as it was before the Great War. No change ider its provisions may be brought in historical buildings, such as the farm of Mont Saint Jean, the farm of La Belle Allianje, and the farm of Papelotte. No house may be erected on the site of La Haye Sainte, Hougoumont, and other places of historic interest. No alteration may be made on houses unless permission is granted by the Royal Commission for the Preservation ,

of Monuments and Sites. To compensate owners of houses and real estate for the loss suffered through the restrictions of the law, an indemnity was paid to the owners in 1914, and England has contributed several hundred thousand francs toward this indemnity. Now M. Matthieu states that owners have requested him to obtain cancellation of the 1914 law on the ground that the price of real estate has greatly increased and that the building of new houses, if permitted, would be of great' advantage to them. The first impression in responsible Belgian circles has been unfavourable, but Owing to the present economic crisis it is feared that the Bill will be passed unless a movement of protest is launchec in England and in Belgium. •