DEGRADING MILITARY PENSIONS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 5, 28 February 1913, Page 7

DEGRADING MILITARY PENSIONS

10 THX XDttOB. Sir,— When tbo Mfwsey Government used their majority to puss a so-oalled Military Pensions Act, they cast a ulur not only upon tlie men v/ho fought to make the New Zealand of to-daj; possible, but on ovary man who is in recoipt of a military pension ah'ywhero. It is in Miis country ottly to be paid to thoeo wilting to confess themselvoß paupers. It it is intended to be a recognition of military service in the p«t, then ttsrown. who fought by tho «de of Smith, is as much entitled* to it its v Smith, and Iho faot that one old man get<\ £2 a week (and is disqualified) is no tegument why another who g«t« 303 should receive money from the taxpayer for 'vsaotly similar service an the other 1 . Nowhere in tho world eisowhoro does an old uoldier have to uomo up every year to say bow much ho has onrnod before ho can draw hi* military pension. Now, 1 nee that the Hon. Mr. Fishor intends to further inunit thd -vstterum. He is going to try to movo ihb Imperial Government to dobaso the value of tho New Zealand war modai. He says ho will try to get the medal given to men who were cot under tiro. Now, the proudest thing about tho medal to those who legitimately wear it is that it was only givou to those < who have been under fire. It i« not like tome of the numerous medals one may see worn everywhere by men who were never within a hundred miles of an enemy. Of course, it is all very well for Mr. Fisher, whose military services never led him to sm^ll any powder, to try to depreciate the value of decorations given before he was born, but if ho succeeds there- ate huudruds oi veterans who will hit him back where he is most vulnerable, at the ballot-box. Mr. Massey and the othocs will not be forgotten either.— l am, etc., VETERAN. Wellington, 26th February, 1913.

It's "IT/ 1 the "Fowlds suit. I '— Made of fine material, a good fit, and moderate in price. Geo. Fowlds, Ltd., Mannerssfereet.—Advt. In oonneotion with the " Unity rally" on Sunday night in His Majesty's Theatre, "the dozen or so speeohefl will bo in ertep exposition of the bams of unity now before the organised workers of each affiliation. The mftetinjr will bo interesting as being tho first of its kind held in His Majesty's Theatre. Th* Watersiders' Band will' play,