THE IMPERIAL AND NAVAL VETERANS ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11605, 20 March 1901, Page 6

THE IMPERIAL AND NAVAL VETERANS ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the Imperial and Naval Veterans* Association .was held in the Cook-street Hall last night, Mr. H. A. H. Hitchens (vicepresident) presiding. There was a good attendance, - despite the rainy weather, both veterans and veterans' .widows attending. : .

A letter was received from. Captain Slattery resigning his office as president: of the association, the reason given being that he had joined on the understanding that the association was to be composed only of Imperial army and naval men. The writer desired to resign in consequence of the Governor's decision that volunteers were to lie included in the association. The- resignation was received and its consideration deferred.

The Chairman stated that the deputation appointed by the association to wait upon the Governor, and to ask him to become their patron, had carried out that duty, and he (the chairman) had convened that meeting to : report the . result. The Governor had declined their request, saying that he had declined a similar request from the Wellington association. Lord Ranfurly's intention was to form a strong association of veterans, consisting of militia and the whole of the colonial volunteers, including those at the front. With this object he had instructed Mr. Culpan to form an association for Now Zealand, Auckland to be the centre. To meet the views of the veterans, Lord Ranfurly proposed that two-thirds of the executive of the association should bo Imperial men and one-third colonial men. Through the executive, committees wero to be formed, to carry on specified work, such as the Widows' Committee, Pensions Committee, etc, The chairman went on to state that it had been said there were no pensions. He emphatically said there were, for the Governor had already secured pensions for several widows. But he wanted the proposed association to back him up and to prevent bogus claims from being sent in. Lord Ranfurly wanted it to be understood that none would be entitled to a pension unless they could prove their bona'fides. Widows must have served with their husbands, and veterans themselves must carry a medal or have been in action. It was the Governor's intention that every case should be thoroughly investigated, and he further desired to find positions for veterans as commissionaires, and to form the association quickly, so that veterans and widows alike might get their rights. As soon as the organisation was complete, Lord Ranfurly would become the patron of tho new association, and give the veterans life views, and they would then be able to send in their claims, have them investigated and sent Home, and be in receipt of their pensions within three months afterwards. In conclusion, the chairman remarked that there never was a Governor like Lord Ranfurly and he for one hoped that he would serve "a second term of office.

Mr. Harris said they seemed to be at a loss now what to do. Mr. Culpan had had an invitation sent to him to attend that meeting and had not done eo. So far as lie could see, they could do nothing until tnafc gentleman placed himself in communication with them.

A discussion ensued as to the best procedure to adopt, and finally it was unanimously resolved, on the motion of Mr Harris, seconded by Mr. Rose, "That this association pass a vote of censure upor Air Culpan for not attending this meeting, after invited to do so, and for not commencing the organisation of the new association orparrying out the instructions given to him by Lord Ranfurly and that tho secretary forward a copy of this resolution to Mr Culpan. ■■•■.." ■ V/Ul

On the motion of Mn Harris, seconded by Air ..Cornish, it was resolved, " That this meeting stand adjourned, and hat tho vice president Mr Hitchens) and secretary (Mr. &. L«ckie) be. empowered to call another meeting at the earliest opportunity, T ffiVclecfSS' 05 the Nation