Herald on Sunday editorial: Medals should remain in NZ

Les Munro has decided to auction off his milltary decorations. Photo / Alan Gibson

Opinion

The Protected Objects Act plays an important role in safeguarding this country's heritage. There could be no qualms when it was used by the Ministry of Culture and Heritage to stop the daughters of World War II hero Charles Upham selling his Victoria Cross and Bar for millions overseas.

These unique and historically important medals were rightly deemed "objects of national significance".

But not every medal is that special and there will be times when the ministry should not be straitjacketed by the act.

One of these is the wish of New Zealand Dambusters veteran Les Munro to auction his World War II medals in London to raise up to $100,000 for the upkeep of the Bomber Command memorial in Green Park.

The 95-year-old former squadron leader considers that maintaining the memorial "in the best possible condition" represents the best possible use of those medals.

The ministry has stepped in, however, saying it must approve their export and sale to a non-New Zealand buyer.

Whether approval is granted is up to the chief executive, in consultation with two or more expert examiners.

Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Maggie Barry says the provisions of the Act are considered a last resort and seldom used. She expects a decision at the end of this week.

The verdict should be straightforward.

The medals include the Distinguished Service Order and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Les Munro is the last surviving pilot from the famous Dam Buster air raids during World War II. Photo / Alan Gibson

They attest to Munro's gallantry in his service with the elite 617 Squadron. But they do not have the rarity value of a Victoria Cross. There are plenty of examples of them in New Zealand.

The appropriate resolution lies in a consortium of New Zealand museums working together to bid for the medals.

Motat, Auckland War Memorial Museum, the Air Force Museum in Christchurch and Otago Museum have hatched a plan to retain the memorabilia within a public collection in this country.

As Motat CEO Michael Frawley says, the contribution of Munro and the Bomber Command to World War II cannot be emphasised enough.

It is the museums' role - and not that of clumsy law - to safeguard notable historic treasures so all New Zealanders can enjoy them. A winning bid by the museums, with help from corporate sponsors, would ensure the medals stay here and don't end up in the hands of overseas private collectors.

At the same time, it would mean Munro is rightly able to use his medals to contribute to a cause that is worthy and close to his heart.