SOUTH AFRICAN WAR VETERANS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20892, 5 December 1929, Page 10

SOUTH AFRICAN WAR VETERANS.

■MEETING OF DOMINION COUNCIL.

(Pee United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, December 4. Several matters of importance to oouth African war veterans were discussed at the last meeting of the Dominion executive of the South African War Veterans Association, presided ov n r by Captain J. J. Clark, the Dominion president.

Some discussion arose as to the circumstances connected with the burial of veterans or the South African war residing in New Zealand at the time of their death. In this particular case under notice it was explained that the Departfrtof Internal Affairs held that the liability for funeral expenses had been questioned for the reason that the deceased had not been a member of the New Zealand forces, but was an Imperial man, who had died in the Dominion. As the Pensions Department had stated that there was no authority to expend money to pay the burial expenses of other than members of New Zealand contingents, it was decided that a deputation should wait on the Minister to ascertain the true position. In connection with the evidence to be tendered to the commission which is now taking evidence throughout the Dominion on pensions, veterans’ homes, and the general rehabilitation of returned soldiers, it was stated that Dunedin and Auckland were advocating the establishment of veterans’ homes, while the Dominion delegates had turned down these proposals at the recent conference. The view was expressed that, while the local associations had a perfect right to advocate what they believed to he the best course to adopt in the interests of veterans, it was the bounden duty of the executive to advocate before the commission, through the president and vicepresident. and any others who might be chosen to present these views the considered opinions of the Dominion Conference; otherwise districts represented at the conference, but which would not be visited by the commission, might be treated unfairly in not having their views placed before the duly authorised tribunal. It was stated that there was a diversity of opinion on the matter of pensions. Some associations were of the opinion that war pensions at the age of 05 years should be drawn as a right, no matter what the position of the recipient might he, while others held a contrary view. In this connection, also, the Dominion executive will present to the commission the considered views of the conference, leaving the associations to submit their proposals or an elaboration of the various suggestions which have been or will be made to the commission.