WILD FRENCH SCENE.
WAR PENSIONERS' MEETING. DEMANDS ON GOVERNMENT. LONDON, Nov. 22. A congress of war pensioners, comprising 634 delegates from various associations, ended in a tragic fiasco. It had assembled in order to form a single federation so as to be able to more effectively push their common grievances. M. Seapini, a blinded veteran, was elected president, while all the vicepresidents bore visible marks of their war wounds. M. Seapini, in his presidential address, said that he believed that by uniting they would secure full compensation for their sacrifices. The Minister for Pensions, M. Marin, said that they would be treated as fairly as financial limitations would allow. The President, M. Doumergus, congratulated the delegates on their solidarity, blessed their work and withdrew. Immediately hopefulness turned to despair and mockery. Certain delegates icfused to hear M. Maginot, a former Minister, and began booing him. Stewards attempted to remove the rowdies and someone started singing the Marseillaise. The tune was taken up like wildfire, and when the singers reached the words, "Aux . Amies, Citoyeos," many belaboured their opponents with sticks and umbrellas.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19271129.2.92
Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19806, 29 November 1927, Page 11
Word Count
182WILD FRENCH SCENE. New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19806, 29 November 1927, Page 11
Using This Item
NZME is the copyright owner for the New Zealand Herald. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons New Zealand BY-NC-SA licence . This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of NZME. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Auckland Libraries and NZME.
Log in