AFRICAN WAR VETERANS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 8 May 1925, Page 4

AFRICAN WAR VETERANS.

MEETING OF MEMBERS. There were a good number of veterans of the South African .\V ar present at a meeting on Wednesday, in Hawera. Air. G. Hay-Alackenzie, sth and Bth Now Zealand Contingents, was in the chair. Others present were as follow: —New Zealand Contingents —Messrs Familton (9th), Campbell(stli and 9th), Crawford (<th), 631* hittle (9th), Treanor (9th), Boy.es (6tn) Duggan and Strachan (3rd, Rough Riders); Imperial Forces: Messrs Morton (Vol. Med. Corps), Evans, Nolan and Collins (Imperial Yeomanry), Renwick (East Yorkshire) and Mahoney, (S.A. Constabulary). Apologies were received from Messrs Scott and Glasson. After the celebration of the loyal toast, songs were given by Messrs Vivian, Renwick, Hay-Mackenzie, and Strachan, Air. Renwick presiding at the piano. It was resolved that as many as could would attend a reunion in New Plymouth on May 22. It was also decided to send a delegate to the New Zealand Conference of veterans to be held at Wellington early in June. It was mentioned that there were in New Zealand twenty-six branches, and a prospect of more. _ The headquarters executive advised that two new branches,had been formed recently, and that membership had been greatly increased. Tney had mad© arrangements for South African veterans’ graves at Wellington to tie kept in order. They had put before the Empire Service' League cases of exImperial soldiers who had done 21 year’s service, and in this conpeetidn Col. Fitzherbert,' a life member of - the South African veterans, who was going to England, would take up the matter with the Imperial authorities. The executive secretary advised also that headquarters had been able to secure an increase in pensions for ex-New Zealand contingenters and railway concessions to incapacitated veterans, and had in, view other questions, such as military pension by right of service, restoration of graves in South Africa, veterans’ home for Wellington, and full concession under the D.S.S. Act. He urged Hawera to do its utmost to co-operate with head office by sending remits and notes for the jouriial.' A spirit of Enthusiasm prevailed during the meeting, and it was hoped that much sviccess would -be achieved. A vote of thanks to the ©hair concluded a good meeting.