THE WAR VETERANS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 126, 15 October 1912, Page 3

THE WAR VETERANS.

A PLEA FOR GENEROUS TREATMENT The Imperialism which could give a Dreadnought so off-handedly could not stand the strain of the small extra expense which would be involved in providing pensions for those veterans who had fought for their country (says the Hastings Tribune). Mr. Fisher's Bill which was introduced last week gives Parliament the opportunity of showing the country's appreciation and gratitude to the—alas!—few survivors of the men who faced dangers and hardships and \yillingly risked their lives in the establishment of law and order in our country. They are of a rapidly diminishing number—only 185 signed the petition three years ago, and of these it is assumed that probably not more than 160 (exclusive of Maori holders of the medal) are alive to-day. Their ages at the time of signing the petition ranged from 64 to 93 years l , so that in any ca«e the pensions will only be payable for a very few years. For them the "Last Post" will be sounded ere long, and it will then be too late to talk of doing something for those who thought no sacrifice too great to keep the flag flying.

A FAIR CLAIM. Many of the war veterans in Taranaki have a fair claim against the country for breach of contract and pecuniary loss. One of the veterans explained the position to a "News" representative the other day, when criticising the Government over the miserable way in which they are behaving in connection with the proposed pensions. "Just after the war broke out," he said, "I and a good many other young chaps in the South Island volunteered for service. We were promised 17s Cd a week and rations for three years, a land grant, and 13s 4d a week for another year. After seeing about twenty months' service, the Government cut down our pay to 9s 4d a week. When it tame to granting us land the troopers fared badly, we receiving but a small area of some of the poorest land in the province. The 13s 4d weekly for the last your of the four we signed on for wc never saw. Most of us were doing well in the South Island, and probably we would never have made the change but for the alluring terms the Government offered. The Government subsequently went back on us, pleading that it had no funds. It cannot make that excuse now, for they seem to liave ample and to spare for things that could be very well done without, and I consider it is the least they can do now to grant all holders of the Maori war medals a straight-out pension, without conditions. Anything else will be regarded by the veterans as a gratuitous insult,"