WHOSE LIABILITY?

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 136, 5 December 1929, Page 15

WHOSE LIABILITY?

BURIAL OF WAX VETERANS

Whether ex-members of the Imperial forces who served in South Africa and who died in tho Dominion were included in the Government's promise* that no veterans of the Bow- War should bo buried as paupers was a question which was discussed at some length at the last meeting of the Dominion Executive of the South African War Veterans' Association.

Iv a case uuder notice it was explained that the Internal Affairs Department held that the liability for i'uncral expenses had been questioned because the deceased had not been a member of the New Zealand forces, but was an Imperial man who had died in the Dominion.

Major P. do B. Brandon: "It makes it plain that the liability docs not extend to South African veterans who liad been members of tho Imperial forces."

The chairman (Captain J. J. Clark): "I certainly was under the impression that what was intended, not only by this Government, but by that of which the late Mr. Massey and tlic Hon. J. G. Coates wero the heads, was that no soldier, whether a member, of the Imperial or New Zealand forces, would bo buried as a pauper. If this only applies to -New Zeaiandci-H, it opeiis up a big question which this association will have to consider." '

Mr. J. A. Shatid. expressed the opinion that there appeared to be considerable doubt as to what had really been intended by those iv power when the statement was made. The statement could be given more than one interpretation, and it would be well if the position was defir.etl before the executivo took general action. The opinion was expressed that what was stated was that no man who had served in South Africa, whether a New Zealander or member of the Imperial forces, would be buried iv New Zealand as a pauper.

As tho Pensions Department had stated that, there was no authority to expend money to pay the burial expenses of other than members of New Zealand contingents, it was decided that a deputation wait on the Minister to ascertain the true position.