18 MAY 2003

Veterans disappointed by Unknown Warrior injunction application

The RSA has held dear the concept of a Tomb of the Unknown Warrior for more than 60 years and the Association is bitterly disappointed that on the very day of the groundbreaking and site blessing ceremony, the newly formed Serious About Heritage Society (SAHS) applied to the High Court for an injunction to prevent work starting on the project. It is a pity that this action puts in doubt the State Funeral and interment of New Zealand's Unknown Warrior planned for Armistice Day, 11 November 2003, the 85th anniversary of the end of the Great War of 1914-18.

SAHS says they are not opposed to the construction of a Tomb, but in filing papers to stop work commencing they offer no credible or practical alternative to the accepted proposal. They also seem to forget that New Zealand's heritage is not just about crumbling flagstones, it is also remembrance of those thousands of servicemen and women who gave their lives for their country. It is the human heritage that must be preserved.

The RSA strongly supports the proposed design and site of the Tomb. The Association is in no doubt that the design will greatly enhance the approaches to the Carillon and Hall of Memories. The Tomb will provide a shrine to the memory of our war dead and a memorial that the country can be proud of.

Very careful consideration was given to siting the Tomb within the Hall of Memories but it became apparent that, although a beautiful and peaceful setting, the addition of the Tomb would restrict access to the sanctuary and also, because of the lack of space, curtail its use for commemorative ceremonies of remembrance. The siting outside the Hall of Memories also enables the public to access the Tomb at all times.

The steps to the forecourt, which are currently in need of much repair, are to be partially reformed and will incorporate many of the existing features, such as the lion's head fountain.

The claim that the 'Man with the Donkey' statue, gifted to the National War Memorial by the RNZRSA in 1990, is to be removed altogether is not true. The Association was fully consulted and is in total agreement with the re-siting of the statue on the forecourt. The rosemary beds, that it is also claimed are to be moved, will remain in their original positions.

The Returned Services' Association was founded in 1916 by wounded soldiers of the Great War to care for the needs of returned soldiers and to preserve the memory of their comrades who would never return. The RSA quickly became, and remains, the guardian of Remembrance in New Zealand: one voice speaking for all veterans, for all who died, and for all families who suffered the loss of loved ones. It is a sacred duty undertaken with both pride and humility-a duty that is owed to all that have served their country in times of war-and as such the RSA believes that the site and design of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior is in harmony with the total concept of the National War Memorial and should be proceeded with as planned.

The National War Memorial itself came to fruition 70 years ago as a result of the wishes of veterans who returned from the battlefield and wished to pay homage to their fallen comrades. Now, at last, the remains of one unknown soldier are to be brought home and interred with due ceremony to symbolise the sacrifice of 27,000 New Zealanders who died in the preservation of justice and peace and are buried or commemorated in foreign fields far from home and loved ones.

Contact:

Bill Hopper
Public Relations Officer
Tel 04 528 9557
Fax 04 528 2095
billhopper@paradise.net.nz