FIELD OF WATERLOO

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 109, 11 May 1933, Page 2

FIELD OF WATERLOO

PRESERVATION THREATENED SUGGESTED BUILDING SITES. The Socialist Deputy of Nivellea 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 th P whole battlefield of Waterloo. I he 1914 law aimed at the preservation of the battlefield as it was before tho Great War. No change under its provisions may be brought in historical buildings, suvh as the farm of Mont Saint Jean, tho farm of La Belle Alliance, and the farm of Fapelotte. No house may bo entered on tho site of La Haye Sainte, Hougoumont, and other places of historic interest. No alteration may bo made on houses unless permission is granted by the Royal Commission for the Preservation of Monuments and sites. To compensate owners of houses a»nl real estate for the loss suffered through the restrictions of the law, an indemnity was pnid to the owners in 1914, and England has contributed several hundred thousand franes 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 tho building of new houses, if permitted, would be of great, advantage to them. Tho first impression in responsible Belgian circles has been unfavourable, but owing to tho present economic crisis it is feared that the Bill will bo passed unless a movement of protest, is launched in England and in Belgium.