SOUTH AFRICAN WAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20306, 13 July 1929, Page 14

SOUTH AFRICAN WAR.

REUNION OF VETERANS.

SUCCESSFUL GATHERING.

PENSIONS CLAIMS MAINTAINED

Sixty-five men who fought in the South African War sat down to supper in St. Benedict's Hall last evening, when the South African War Veterans' Associa tion hold its annual reunion. The newly elected president, Major T. 11. Ilalpin, occupied tho chair. The gathering was noteworthy for tho large number of old Imperial Army men who attended, cheers being given as the names of their regiments were announced. The Now Zealand contingents were represented as follows First, 2; Second, 4; Third, 2; Fourth, 4; Fifth, 4; Sixth, 6; Seventh, 10; Eighth, 5; Ninth, 6; Tenth, 1. Among those present were:— Captain .1, Silchbury, of the King's Em piro Veterans; Mr. A. C. A Sexton, president of tho Auckland Returned Solfliers' Association j Lieutenant-Colonel T. H Dawson, Lieutenant-Colonel E. G. Fraser, Captain W. Atwell, Captain J A. Algie, president of the Takapuna ExServicemen's Association, Mr. E U. Sharp, secretary of the Returned Soldiers' Association, and Mr. W. J Leighton, representing the; White Ensign Club. The president spoke of tho visit which he is to pay to Wellington as co-delegate with Lieutenant-Colonel Fraser to the Dominion conference of tho South African War Veterans' Associations. lie referred to the three remits which are to be su!> mitted: (1) That the Government should be urged to increase the South Afrtcan war pension from £l3 to £26 a year; (2) I hat the pension should bo granted in cases where disability occurs before the qualifying age of 65 years is reached; and (3) that South African veterans should receive preference when applying for State advances and Government loans.

The customary I oasts were honoured, and the speeches were alternated with musical items.