GRAVES OF SOLDIERS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 885, 11 December 1916, Page 10

GRAVES OF SOLDIERS.

PROPER RESPECT TO BE PAID. A DEPARTMENTAL SCHEME. Press Association. AUCKLAND, December 11. The Hon. G. W. Russell stated that it had been determined that the Department of Internal Affairs, which had for several years been responsible for the restoration of the graves of soldiers who fell in the Maori War, should also undertake the responsibility of looking after the graves of soldiers belonging to the Expeditionary Forces. It was desired that propei - respect should be paid to the last resting place of every man who had died a soldier. A scheme had been prepared under which every soldier's grave should be covered with concrete and a suitable headstone erected, with a statement of Hie name of the soldier, and the fact that he was a member of the Expeditionary Force. The scheme would also embrace men who belonged to the contingents which took part in the Boer War. At present the intention was that the scheme should apply only to men who died while on service. The question whether similar respect should be paid in after years to all men who were members of the Expeditionary Forces would be a matter for subsequent consideration.