SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS

Otago Witness, Issue 3994, 30 September 1930, Page 36

SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS

ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

EXTENSION OF PENSIONS UNLIKELY.

WELLINGTON, September 24.

The annual conference of the South African veterans was opened to-day by

the Minister of Defence (Mr J. G. Cobbe). Referring to the question of rehabilitation, the Minister said that in his opinion the report of the commission was a most valuable one. The association’s report stated that nothing had been done this season. He did not wish to be too definite, but there might be some grounds for modification of that statement before long. With regard to the question of granting South African pensions before the age of 65, if disability occurred before that age, he had gone in*- that matter and under the existing conditions it would be hardly possible just at present. It would mean an addition of eight men to the pensions scheme and an advance of £3500 in the cost, and more later on. There was a danger that the alteration of the pension age from 65 to 60 would form an attractive election cry, and its effects would go further. The chairman (Captain J. J. Clark) thanked the Minister, who had given them the hope that something might be done along the lines of rehabilitation, but it was a fact that so far South African I veterans were not dealt with on the same rehabilitation lines as those of the Great I War. The association valued the help I given by the Government.

THE OFFICIAL HISTORY. WELLINGTON, September 24.

The official history of the New Zealand forces at the South African War is at present being written and before long should be completed, according to a statement made by the president of the South African War Veterans’ Association (Captain <7. J. Clark) to-day. “ After the conference last year we interviewed the Minister of Defence (Sir Thomas Wilford) in reference to the compilation of an official history of the war, and he promised that a sum of 2250 would be available for this purpose,?’ said Mr Clark. “ Sir Thomas nominated a committee consisting of the

general officer commanding (Majorgeneral R Young), Major P. de B. Brandon, and myself tn have the work carried out, and after consultation we commissioned Mr J. A Shand, official correspondent to the first contingent, to compile the history. The greater portion of the work has been written and corrected, but it is unfortunate that Mr Shand, owing to his having take~i up an appointment, has not yet been able to complete the work.”

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

WELLINGTON, September 26

The Dominion conference of the South African war veterans was concluded today. The election of officers resulted as follows: —Patron, General Sir Alfred Robin (Wellington); president, Captain J. J. Clark * (Wellington); vice-presidents— Major P. de B. Brandon (Wellington), Colonel E. G. Fraser (Auckland), Messrs J. A. Simson (Hastings). J. V. Scott (Gisborne), J. 1. Goldsmith (Wellington), G. N. Cresswell, H. C. Thompson (Timaru), T. M'Whirter, and the Rev. D. Dutton (Dunedin); secretary, Mr J. H. E. Tilling (Wellington); executive—Major Brandon. Major Bathurst, Colonel A. R. Young, Messrs J. D. M'Comish, J. I. Goldsmith, and Captain C. F. Bishop.