SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 5 December 1929, Page 3

SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS

EVIDENCE FOR COAIAHSSION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON', Dec. -i. Several matters of importance to South African War veterans were discussed at the -last meeting of the Dominion executive of the So-utli African War Veterans’ Association, which was presided over by -Captain J. J. Clark, Dominion president. Some discussion arose as to the civ emnsta'iices connected with the buriai of veterans residing in New Zealand at the time of their -death. In -the par rieuitaT case .under notice it was explained that the Internal Affairs Department held that the liability for funeral expenses in such a case had been questioned for the reason that the deceased had n-o-t been a member of the New Zealand Forces, but was an Imperial man who had died in the Dominion. As the Pensions Department had stated that there was no authority to expend money to pa-y -the burial expenses of other than members of the Now Zealand contingents, it was decided that a deputation wait on the Minister to ascertain the true -position. In connection with the. evidence to be tendered to the commission which is now taking evidence throughout, the Dominion on pensions, veterans’ homes and: the general -rehabilitatioTi of returned soldiers, it was stated that Dunedin and Auckland were advocating -the establishment of veterans’ homes, while the Dominion delegates had turned

down these proposals at the recent conference. While the local associations had a perfect right to advocate what they believed tot be -the best co-urse to adopt in the interests of veterans, it was the -bounden duty o,f the executive to advocate before the commission, (through the president and vice-presi-dent and any others who might be chosen to present these views) the considered opinions of -the Dominion conference. Otherwise the districts (represented at the conference, but which would not be visited by the commis : ssion, might be treated unfairly in not having their views placed before the duly authorised tribunal : . It was stated that .there was a diversity of opinion on the matter Off pensions. Some associations were of the opinion that war pensions at the age of 05 years should be drawn uis a right, no matter what the position of the'recipient might be, while others held a contrary view. In this connection also the Dominion executive will present to the commission the considered views of the conference, leaving the associations to submit their proposals or an elaboration of the various suggestions which have been or will be made to the commission.