WAR MEMORIALS.

Southland Times, Issue 18078, 3 May 1919, Page 4

WAR MEMORIALS.

We trust that the article under the above heading by the Rt. Hon. Sir Alfred Mond, which we published yesterday, did not escape the widespread notice to which it was entitled. The erection of war memorials will be very' much before the country in the months that lie ahead. More money will be spent on monuments and buildings to commemorate the greatness of our sacrifice in this war, and the glory of our victory, than has been the case in connection with any other occasion in our history. Is that money to be spent in a manner that will endure or is it to be wasted on structures that will cause future generations to blush for us? Some time ago there was a very pertinent correspondence in this paper in connection with a monument erected in one of the country districts. Someone wrote protesting against the erection of monstrosities in concrete all over the country, and pointed his argument by ridiculing the monument in question. One would have thought that the correspondence would have been confined to a discussion of the artistic merits of the statue. But not so. Our correspondent drew upon himself a storm of indignation, the burden of which was, in effect: "The monument was put up by this district as a tribute to its bravo sons who fell in battle.

It has been erected at our expense, and if it pleases us what has it to do with you, and why in thunder do you want to come sneering and interfering?” It is because sentiments such as these may be fairly general that we hope Sir Alfred Mond’s article will be read very carefully. There will be a chain of monuments throughout New Zelaand, and a unique opportunity is presented to ensure that they conform to certain essentials, viz., that they are artistic, and that they will make plain to all generations for what purpose they were erected. We say the opportunity is unique because ever, in New Zealand we shall have at our disposal the advice of the highest authorities in the world. There surely can be no argument about the necessity for preventing the wholesale erection of statues and memorials that offend every canon of art and good taste? It must be obvious to all that by these works, by buildings and memorials and parks and trees, we are surrounding ourselves with an environment that is either good or bad for the rising generations. If we offend art and ignore beauty we are doing a wrong to those who come after us, and it would be a grievous wrong because we know better. The best brains in the world, the highest genius, are now at work devising and designing, and we can take advantage of this unprecedented concentration of effort by working through a central authority which should be established by the Government. If each town and each district goes its own way and rushes into the matter of erecting a memorial the opportunity will be lost and the country will be dotted over with objects of ridicule. This question is a national concern, and the Government should indicate what it proposes to .do in order to prevent flagrant breaches of and to see that what is done in this country is fitting to the occasion.