LINKING UP

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12465, 5 June 1926, Page 4

LINKING UP

SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS AFFILIATION WITH R.S.A. DECISIONS OF CONFERENCE Authority was given by the Dominion Conference of tho R.S.A. yesterday for headquarters to conclude negotiations for affiliation of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association with tho South African War Veterans’ Association, a nominal fee to bo mutually agreed upon Support is now to be given to the claims of South African war veterans to be placed on a similar footing ns men who soryed in the 1914-18 conflict. So much having been heard of trading within- the Empire, members were of opinion that poppies for sale on .Poppy Day should he manufactured in England, a suggestion to have them made in New Zealand being dropped. It was pointod out that the price would bo quite small. Complaint that certain disabled soldiers employed in the Civil Service are debarred from promotion on account of their war disabilities are to be looked into. DELEGATES ENTERTAINED Visiting delegates to the R.S.A.' Conference were entertained by the Wellington Association at a smoke concert last evening. A pleasant evening, over which Colonel G. T. Hall presided, was spent, and the following toasts were honoured: “The King”; “Absent Comrades”; “Parliament,” proposed by Mr L. J. Maule and responded to by Sir John Luke; “War Pensions and Internal Affairs,” proposed by Mr W. Perry and responded to by Mr G. Faclie, Commissioner of Pensions, and Mr j. Hislop, Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs; “Headquarters R.5.A.,” proposed by tho chairman and responded to by Colonel H. Stewart; “The City of Wellington and Adjacent Boroughs,” proposed by Mr B. Egley and responded to by the Mayor (Mr C. J. B. Norwood) and representatives of adjacent local bodies; “Kindred Associations,” proposed by Mr H. W. Cave and responded to by Captain Clarke; “The Mercantile Community and Local Bodies,” proposed by Major J. T. Watson and responded to by representatives of the Wellington Harbour Board, Chamber of Commerce, Hospital Board, War Relief Association, and Wellington Trotting Club. Musical and vocal items were contributed by the following:—Messrs Frank Henry, H. Patchett, Hines. Norman Aitlcen, Thomas Hodges, and E. S. Dean.