MAORI VETERAN'S SERVICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17274, 25 September 1919, Page 6

MAORI VETERAN'S SERVICE.

CLAIM MADE FOR MEDAL. LEVITY AMONG OPPOSITION. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER ] WELLINGTON. Wednesday. A recommendation from the Pensions Committee that a petitioner who was not entitled to them under the present regulations should be granted the Maori War medal and pension resulted in a good deal of levity in the House of Representatives this afternoon. Mr. A. Harris (Waitemata) said that this veteran did not press for the pension but rather for some recognition for his services in the Maori War. From the Opposition side came the suggestion : Give him the 0.8. E. Mr. Harris : With due deference to the leader of _ the Opposition, I don't think the petitioner is the sort of man who would like the 0.8. E. Sir Joseph Ward : I never said that. (Laughter.) Mr. Harris continued that some visible token of his services was what he wanted, whether a bronze medal or a cross or anything of the kind. A member : Why does not the Government give him a seal ? Mr. Harris : I hardly think a seal would meet the case. Mr. T. W. Rhodes (Thames), who replied as chairman of the committee, said he was sorry to see the levity with which the House discussed the matter. The committee bad made a favourable recommendation, and the committee was absolutely unanimous in its decision. Mr. J. Payne (Grey Lynn) : Hear, hear. There were four of us there. (Laughter.)