WAR VETERANS

Southland Times, Issue 20949, 5 December 1929, Page 6

WAR VETERANS

SOUTH AFRICAN MEN IMPORTANT MATTERS DISCUSSED PENSIONS AND HOMES - (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, December -4. Several matters of importance to South African war veterans were discussed at the last meeting of the Dominion executive of the South African War Veterans’ Association presided over by Captain J. J. Clark, Dominion president. Some discussion arose as to the circumstances connected with the burial of veterans of the South African war residing in New Zealand at the time of their death. In the particular case under notice, it was explained that the Internal Affairs Department held that the liabilit- for funeral expenses in such a case had been questioned fpr 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 wait on the Minister to ascertain the true position on .the matter. In connection with the evidence to be tendered to the commission which was now taking evidence throughout the Dominion pn pensions, veterans’ homes and the general rehabilitation of returned soldiers, it was stated that Dunedin and Auckland were advocating the establishment of a veterans’ home while the Dominion delegates ’ had turned down these proposals at the recent conference. While the local associations had a perfect right to advocate what they believed to be 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 ex-president, and any others who might be chosen to present these views, the considered opinions of the Dominion conference, otherwise districts represented on the conference, but which would not be visited by the commission, might be treated unfairly in not having their views placed before the duly authorized 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 65 years should be drawn as a right, no matter "what the position of the recipient might be, 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 elaboration of the various suggestions which have been or will be made to the commission.