WELLINGTON NOTES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16502, 1 August 1919, Page 2

WELLINGTON NOTES.

WAR MATERIAL AVAILABLE. FOR SUPPLYING TWO DIVISION. BV TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ■WELLINGTON. August 1. It was reported recently that the Government had completed the. purchase of a big supply of war material for use in New Zealand. The statement was referred to the Minister of Defence (Sir James Allen), who said there had been no recent purchase of war material, though when the New Zealand forces were fighting in France flic Government of course paid for their equipment, and when the war ended it was rhe owner of a considerable quantity of material. Portions of this which would be of use in the Dominion were being brought out. This material comprised a great variety of goods, including ambulance wagons, transport of various kinds, guns, etc., sufficient for the equipment of two divisions. As it was being brought out as ballast its carriage to the Dominion was costing very little. In reply to an inquiry as to the reported formation of two divisions of Territqria.l forces in the Dominion, a reporter was informed that'ETfe establishment before the war was on a strength of about 30,000,. but there had been no decision recently as to the two divisions’ establishment. WAR MEMORIAL SITES. Cabled reference to the Australian' proposals for war memorials on Gallipoli was brought under the notice of Sir James Allen to-day with an inquiry as to whether any action had been taken hy New Zealand, The ActingPrime Minister replied that the Government had authorised the procuring of sites in Egypt, Palestine. Gallipoli, and France, upon which they were to ■erect war memorials. Speaking of a National War Memorial in the Dominion, Sir James Allen said he had cabled the High Commissioner asking whether a first-class artist could bo secured to come out to New Zealand to advise us, and if so, what would be the cost. It was their intention, if the services of such an artist could bo obtained reasonably, to utilise his advice for the National War Memorial, and his services might afterwards be placed at the disposal of local bodies which were contemplating the erection of memorials. It is Sir James Allen’s view that the opportunity of creating some worthv memorial is one that should not be lost. The events of the war year; were the greatest in New Zealand his torv, and the memorials should be sucl that they would have groat and lasthu effect mi the future generations. I' would be the greatest pity if any un worthy memorial here to be erected.