SOLDIERS’ GRAVES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3713, 12 May 1925, Page 69

SOLDIERS’ GRAVES.

PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION’S FUNDSL EXPENDITURE NOT PERMISSIBLE. For some time past the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association has been endeavouring to secure for the local Patriotic Association the sanction of the National War Funds Council to purchase 13 headstones for the graves of soldiers in the Anderson’s Bay Cemetery which do not come within the definition of war graves. The Patriotic Association was quite willing to hear the cost of these headstones, but it first of all desired to ascertain if a grant of this nature would be sanctioned by the National War Funds Council. The council advised that this expenditure did not come within the scope of the objects of the Patriotic* Association or the War Funds Act. About that time the then secretary of the Dunedin R.S.A. (Mr A. C. Laing) wrote to the Hon. W. Downie Stewart pointing out that it was desirable that tho plots should be completed. as gaps here and there would cause comment and would not he to the credit of the community. Bearing in mind tho amount of money which the Patriotic Association at present held, and the object for which this money was subscribed, it would appear that the soliciting of public subscription to complete, these graves would not be a good thing. The writer added that he would be pleased if Mr Stewart would consult with the Minister of Internal Affairs, and advise if the present position could not be overcome in some way. Would not an Order-in-Council meet trie case? A reply was received from Mr Stewart, who promised to bring the matter before the Hon. R. F. Bollard, and later the secretary interviewed Mr Bollard. As a result of this interview a reply was received and read at the last meeting of the executive of the Dunedin R.S.A., advising that the matter had been placed before a meeting of tho National War Funds Council, which held the view that if the present application were agreed to it would create a dangerous precedent and would lead to similar requests being made from all parts of the dominion. It was considered that it was not the function of patriotic societies to erect headstones over the graves of soldiers who had died of disabilities not connected with war service. It had further been pointed out that even if the principle were admitted as regards graves in soldiers* cemeteries, requests would bo made to extend it to graves in general cemeteries. The writer added that the council, having before it the information that the Government would sell to the relatives a headstone of official design at a reasonable cost, the following motion had been adopted unanimously:—“That the Minister be advised that in the opinion of the council the present arrangements are sufficient and the roquest is unreasonable.” Under the circumstances it was regretted that nothing further could be done. The decision of the R.S.A. executive was to ask the City Council to bear tho necessary expenditure.