VETERANS AND PENSIONS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 880, 28 July 1910, Page 6

VETERANS AND PENSIONS.

THE OLD SOLDIERS' PETITION,

A PLEA FOR JUSTICE,

[To the Editor.] . Sir,—ln fairness to yourself I certainly do not.think you are to be blamed for drawing -attention to the fact that the vetorans' petition has. not been hoard .of sinco.it was. handed to the Eight Hon. tho Prime Minister. The meetings held on the Subject .by the various branches of tho Itoyal New Zealand. Association of .His Majesty's Veterans were caused by the fact that nothing was heard about it, and I-have received letters from all parts of tho. Dominion asking when is the petition to be laid'beforo Parliament. Many of the old soldiers who would scorn to receive the old age pension would feel it an honour to receive a pension 'as a small return for their services, fighting in defence-of law.and | order on behalf of this, - our country. Alas! how many ployed the game at the expense of their lives. ■. The veterans in New.Zealand hold the position between the hammer and tho anvil. The Home Government will not recognise their claims,. and ours is letting the time go by. till in a very few years the "Last: Tost" will sound and nono will be left for an ungrateful Parliament, to show, their sympathy to—those, who enabled the present generation to enjoy the privilege of possessing shch abeautiful country, and.to live in peace and happiness. But they must remember how they treated those brave men who faced danger and. hardships, and' willingly gave up their lives, for your sakes; ..What will history say on tho subject? ;■ , 'In every country 'but' New Zealand veterans are cared'for and receive pensions—the United States oven sends word to their' Consuls to find out missing veterans to; enable them. to receive • pen-' sions due to them. Is there, no gratitude in" the' present generation ? or have they ceased to inquire how and by what means they are' enabled to hold up their .heads with pride -and' honour • because- of the deeds of those .who conquered this country on .their behalf? Alas! how many times I'have had to.soothe tho feclings.of veterans rwhen asking'is.'there any hope of.us:receiving a little assistance.to enable us 'to' live—broken in health,- ■ yet struggling,to earn a living against great odds. :; '.

. Sir,.l'know it would .not be right of nio'to take up your space in pleading on behalf ■of men: who deservo better treatment, but I ,'cannpt let. one incident in the Maori War'bo 'unrecorded. It was. the'iast words of one- mortally-wounded soldier, in. the Urewcra Country—"Goodbye, toys,' stick' to' your;'colours—r-" Here.Vwas'one,-his- last .thoughts for New, Zealand.: He had ' played the game. Surely the survivors. ought to receive a little • consideration. What would it amount to? ■ As I said before, the,liability would soon vanish, but the record of having done something for the good and welfare of tho'se'. who thought no sacrifice too great on their part, so long as they kept, the' flag flying with honour, and enabled;settlers to liyoahd enjoy in peace the fruits of their victories.' . '.To show you that your remarks were warranted, the following letter speaks for itself:- ■

■ Royal New Zealand. Association • of His Majesty's Veterans.

Headquarters,

• • .Wellington, .July,22, 1910. ■ Sir.-MSome timo ago Colonels Newall; C.8., arid Porter prosented a. petition, addressed to tho Speaker, to ■be kid before Parliament, from thomembers of the above association; veterans of; the Maori \Var to receive 10s.:per-week. as, a,pension, in lieu of the .old age pension and as a reward for past services. We .have not. seen this, has been done—perhaps , Sir » Joseph Ward's official position . prevents him doing it—if so will you be so kind as 1 to ask '~ji to pass it on to the Hon. T lj ,<ilfbrd, and that would enable the Eight Hon: tho Premier to have a free hand. Waiting .your reply—Yours : respectfully,

S. STIDOLPH,. ; ■ Hon. General Secretory.

T. Hisiop, Esq:,

Private Secretary to the Eight Hon, '■ * tho 'Premier. "

This letter was posted on Friday -of last week, and Lhad not received a reply by to-day (Wednesday). . ' ; ■ Hero is a.copy of a letter received from the Premier on the subject some months ago:—' ; _ ' ' Prime Minister's Office,

■Wellington, '9th April, 1910. -Dear sir,—Referring to your letter of tho 22nd January last, in further reference to -the request of veterans that-Government might-make them a military, grant ,of lOs.'.por week' in lieu of- a pension Vurider the' Old Ago Pensions Act,-1 have now to inform you that ,thb matter has been considered in Cabinet, with the result that it has not been found possible to give effect to your suggestion.— Yours faithfully,

(Signed) J, WARD.

' S.. Stidolph, .Esq., >• General Secretary, R.N.Z.A. of H.M. Veterans. ' I win leave the rest to be thought .out iu Parliament.—Yours respectfully, '' S. STIDOLPH, ■ \ Hon. General Secretary. July 27. _