BOER WAR VETERANS

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 280, 23 August 1934, Page 4

BOER WAR VETERANS

Conference Opened by Hon. J. G. Cobbe problem of pensions The annual conference of the South African War Veterans 1 Association of New Zealand, the chief purpose of which, the president stated, would be to consider the increasing difficulties confronting those who served in the South African War, was officially opened, in Wellington yesterday by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe. The Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, welcomed the delegates to Wellington. Addressing the Minister and the delegates, the president, Mr. J. I. Goldsmith, said it was pleasing to note the hearty co-operation the association was receiving from the Returned Soldiers’ Association, and he commended the latter association for the manner in which it had conserved its funds. Citizens had subscribed liberally to funds for assisting South African veterans, but it had to be admitted that the same foresight and care had not been exercised in conserving those funds as had been the case with the funds raised during the later war. To-day there was not a penny of those funds available to afford relief to veterans in their hour of need. Mr. Goldsmith congratulated the Invercargill veterans on the formation of a branch in that centre, and expressed the wish that the same enthusiasm would be speedily displayed at Palmerston North ami Hamilton. Mr. Cobbe said that the people of New Zealand should never forget that tbe men who went to South Africa were the first to leave New Zealand to light for the Empire and, it might, be , said, blazed the trail for the men of 1014. Remarking on the youthful appearance of the delegates, Mr. Cobbe recalled that it was difficult to be selected for inclusion in the contingents, and the men were thus the pick, of New Zealand when they went away. It was generally reported that they were not only good soldiers, but also acted as gentlemen. The speaker urged them not to allow the association to cease to function. Those who had fought together should still stand together. The question of the reduction of the age for the receipt of pensions from 65 years to 60 years, the subject of several remits, the Minister .described as very difficult, because if that were conceded in one direction it would be demanded in the case of all pensions. Already the payment for pensions in New Zealand was extremely large. J! Mr. Cobbe offered to discuss before he left any subjects which the delegates desired. Several instances of men breaking down before the age of 65 were quoted, to which the Minister replied that if the men’s disabilities could be attributed to war service something might be done for them. Other matters were discussed with Mr. Cobbe, and he is to receive a deputation from the association this afternoon. Gifts of a picture of the New South .Wales Lancers, presented by-Mrs. M. of Wellington, and of the bugle used by Trumpeter Johnston, in the First Contingent, presented by Mr. Hayman, of the Timdru association, were received. ", • The president presented to Major P. de B. Brandon the gold badge of the association in recognition of his services to the association. Major Brandon has occupied several offices in .the veterans’ organisations,’ including that of Dominion president. The other holders of the badge are Lord Baden Powell, Sir Charles Fergusson, General Sir Alfred Robin, and Mr. L. C. M. S. Amery.