SOUTH AFRICAN WAR VETERANS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 31 July 1924, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICAN WAR VETERANS

BENEFITS SOUGHT

(CJnitjd Press Association, >

WELLINGTON, This Day. Mr J. A. Simpson presided at tho conference of the South African War Veterans’ Association. A deputation was appointed to interview tke Prime Minister on various matters affecting Association members, including the proclamation of the application of , the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act to South African war veterans, so that they would secure the same benefits as enjoyed by men returned from the Great War.

Mr Simpson, was re-elected President; Major E. G. Fraser (Auckland), Captain J. J. Clark (Wellington), and Dr A. Falconer (Dunedin) Vice-Presi-dents;: and the following form the executive —-Revs. D. C. Pates and A. W. H. Compton, Messrs J. J. Clark, D. Mclntyre, I, Fletcher, and W. Tilling (the last-named being secretary).

MR MASSEY’S REPLY TO f DEPUTATION

WELLINGTON, This Day. A deputation from the South African War Veterans’ Association made representations to the Prime Minister this . morning for pensions for those who served in the Boer War campaign, and asked that MI the benefits of the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act should be extended to them. Mr J. A. Simpson, Dominion president of the Association, reminded the Prime Minister of the promise he made to them three years ago in regard to pension's. Financial conditions had altered considerably since 1921, when there was no money available. Most of them were fifty 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 a pension and all other benefits?” Mr Simpson said the veterans felt they were entitled to all the benefits. Mr Massey stated in reply that ho was not able to do all that was asked for by the deputation. The country was pretty well off, but the surplus would 1 not meet one-twentieth part of the claims that were being made. That was his trduble. “All I can do,” he said, “is to* do the best in the circumstances. I hope to be able to do something for the South African veterans. Ido want to do something this year (hear, hear) ©ven 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 had to find for this year £2,405,221 for all pensions and £374,000 for superannuation requirements.