SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16496, 31 July 1924, Page 9

SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS.

APPEAL FOE PENSIONS. . DEPUTATION TO PREMIE It. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day A deputation from the South African War Veterans Association made representations to the Prime Minister this morning for pensions for those- who served in the Boer war campaign, and asked that all benefits of the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act should he extended to them. Mr. ,1. A. Simpson, Dominion president of the association, reminded the Prime Minister of a, promise tie made three years ago in regard to pensions. Financial circumstances had altered considerably since 1921, when there was no money available. Most of them were fifty years of age, and if th© principle ,of pension was not approved (his year they would continue to make representations 'until it was. They also desired to come under the benefits of the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act. Mr. Massey: “Von- mean a pension, and all other benefits:’’ Mr. Simpson said the veterans felt they were entitled to all the benefits. Mr. Massey stated in reply that ho was not able to do all that was asked by the- deputation. The country was pretty w-eil off, hut- the surplus would not- meet one-twentieth part of the claims that w-erei being made. That was his trouble. “All I can do,” be. said, “is to do the best in the circumstances. I hope to be able to- -do something for the South African veterans. I do want, to do something this year, even if its coming into op-ration is postponed for a little time.” Mr. Massey referred to tile present responsibilities of the Government in regard to 1 pensions. It had to find for this year £2,405,221 for all pensions, and £374,000 for superannuation requirements.