SOUTH AFRICAN WAR.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 1 August 1924, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICAN WAR.

REQUEST BY VETERANS. (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.I WELLINGTON, July 31. • A deputation from the South African War Veterans’ Association made repreto the Prime Minister this morning for pensions for those who had served in the Boer War campaign, and askej that ail benefits of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act should be extendered to them. Mr J. A. Simpson, Dominion president of the association, reminded the Prime Minister of the promise he made three years ago in regard to pensions. The financial circumstances had altered considerably since 1921, when there was no money available. Most of them were 50 years of age, and if the principle of the pension was not approved this year they would continue to make representations- until it was. They also desired to come under the benefits of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act. Mr. Massey: You mean the pension and all other benefits?: Mr. Simpson said the veterans felt they were entitled to all benefits. Mr. Massey stated in reply that he was not able to do all that was asked b.V the deputation. The country was pretty well off, but the surplus would not meet one-twentieth part of the claims that were being made; that was his trouble. “All I can do,” he said;, “is to do my best in the circumstances. 1 hope to be able to do something for the filouth African veterans. I do want to do something this year, even if its coming into operation is postponed for a little time.”

Mr. Massey referred to the present responsibilities of the Government in regard to pensions. It ha c j to find for this year £2,405,221 for all pensions and £374,000 for superannuation requirements.

The Soqtli African War Veterans’ Association’s conference ended after the deputation had interviewed Mr Massey and had placed the desires of the Association before him, receiving a sympathetic reply. The final session held discussed matters concerning the organisation of the association, and it was decided that the first Sunday in June of each year lie a memorial Sunday, round which the South African Veterans’ ceremonies will centre. The next conference will be held in Dunedin during the exhibition.