WAR VETERANS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 48, 25 August 1926, Page 11

WAR VETERANS

SOUTH AFRICAN SOLDIERS

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

AFFILIATION WITH E.S.A,

The annual conference of the New Zealand South African War Veterans' Association commenced to-day at tho E.S.A. Booms, Captain J. J. v Clark (Dominion president) presiding.

There were also present: Liout.-Col. E. G. Eraser (Auckland), Mr. 0. M. Creswell (Christchurch), Major-General Sir A. Robin and Eev. D. Dutton (Dunedin), Mr. T. M'Whirter (Eltham), Mr. J. B. Poyntor (Gisborne), Mr. J. A. Simpson, and Mr. I/. J. B. Hammond (Hastings), Mr. A. Collins (Hutt Valley), Messrs. E. Hogg and Stack (Levin), Mr. A. T. Bondell (Palnierston North), Mr. T. Lav/son (Stratford), Mr. H. C. Thompson (Tiruaru), Mr. K. G. Malcolm (Wanganui), Mr. L. de Launay (Wellington), Hey. Canon Compton, Sergt-Major T. Fletcher, Mr. D. M'lntyre, and Mr. J. I. Goldsmith (Dominion executive), and Mr. J. H. E. Tilling (secretary). The following cable was received from Earl Haig: "Please convey to president and all members my best wishes for successful conference and future as united comrades."

Two minutes' silence was observed, members standing in respect of departed comrades.

The chairman, welcoming the delegates, said that interest in the association had been well maintained during the year, and new branches had been formed or revived, as in the case of Hamilton, but there were still a number of districts not yot linked up. Ho alluded to the granting of £13 to be added to "the old age pension, the whole to be called a military pension, and to the preference now given, by amendment of the Act, to South African veterans when making application for land, a hollow pretence, applying chiefly to bachelors. But as the Act stood, it was possible for South African veterans to take over land or housos from men of the Great War at the same rate of interest. The whole of the benefits of the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Act should, however, apply to South African veterans. The executive was unanimously of opinion that the association should afflliato with the 8.8.A. During the year a Parliamentary Committee was set up, consisting of Messrs. Potter, Samuel, Linklater, and Colonel Allan 8011, with Sir Heaton Ehodcs in the Upper House, from which much help was obtained. The question of the concentration of war graves to a central cemetery, with a suitable monument and individual headstones, such as might be seen at the soldiers' plot at Karori, had been considered by the executive, and had received every care and attention in details from the Department of Internal Affairs. AFFILIATION WITH K.S.A. Passing to the remits, the secretary stated that the executive had passed a resolution that the South African War Veterans' ASBoCiati°n and the Dominion B.S.A. should affiliate from June, 1927, subject to the ratification of the associations.

The chairman said that in the last conference it was proved that amalgamation was not desired by the South African veterans, whose members now almost equalled those of the U.S.A., but the time would come when the U.S.A. was stronger than it was to-day. The suggestion of affiliation, which had come from the R.S.A., was a different matter, which would allow the preservation of identity, and would enlist the backing of the men of the Great "War in any assistance sought from tho Government.

Mr. K. S. Malcolm (Wanganui) thought the association should continue to paddle its own canpe, as it had made good progress. In view of the fact that a previous Dominion Conference had ruled against affiliation, he held that the remits were out of order.

The chairman agreed that this resolution had been passed and was not rescinded, but with the passage of time and the reduction of membership, the aspect of things had changed. The R.S.A. had already ratified such an arrangement, and he thought it was the duty of the prosent conference to do so also. It was quite in order for the conference to agree.

Mr. J. A. Simpson (Hastings) said that affiliation did not necessarily mean amalgamation, and he favoured it, as both bodies had a similar Imperial comradeship under tho British Empire Service League.

The Eev. Mr. D. Dutton (Dunedin) said the word "amalgamation" had caused a great deal of misapprehension. If the matter were deferred for a year in order that all parts of the association might be made aware that affiliation would not end in the merging of identity of the association, it would assist ultimate affiliation immensely. Sir Alfred Eobin asked why go on another year? The slightest check was unwise in view of the progress made towards affiliation, which in many cases would mean strength.

Mr. C. N. Cresswell pointed out that while Christchurch. was against amalgamation, it was in favour of affiliation. The R.S.A. in Christchurch would benefit from it now, and the South African Veterans' Association probably would later.

Mr. L. de Launay said that the affiliation would be of the Dominion executives, arid would not affect tho individual fostering of cither association in the local branches. It would simply mean concerted action in securing benefits, and there could be nothing to lose by it.

Other delegates having' spoken in support of affiliation, tho following remit was moved by Colonel Fraser (Auckland): —"That affiliation with the R.S.A. bo approved, subject to safeguards for maintaining our own identity." Tho Auckland Association felt, after consideration, that affiliation was desirable, with reservations in regard to points of detail. Two members of tho association on tho Dominion affiliated executive would safeguard the South African votorans' interests. Two years ago he had opposed amalgamation, but still felt that affiliation would be a good thing, in view of the moral support in making representations to the Government. The S.A.W.V.A. was now in a better position in many cases than the R.S.A., and, if it was decided to affiliate, benefits to both parties would accrue.

Mr. Law3on (Stratford) secondod the resolution, which was carried with tho dissent of Mr. X.. G. Malcolm (AVanganui) and Rev. T>\ Dutton (Dunedin). (Proceeding.)