PENSIONS FOR VETERANS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1576, 21 October 1912, Page 5

PENSIONS FOR VETERANS.

Sir,—When tho Ward Government were in office, the veterans of Xew Zealand received at the hands of our then rulers what was generally described as tho most gratuitous insult ever offered to a body of pioneers and their families. These fine old men (now all closo on to their three score and ten years) who, in early days, carried their lives in their hands and fought for their adopted country, and who, for their 12 hours per day risk of life, limb, and torture, if caught, received for their services the princely remuneration of 2s. fld. per diem, or say, 2}d. per hour. Although early hardships, and old age, with its relentless hand, have bowed down these once strong men, many of whom now are unable to more than keep body and soul together, the Government in question offered them "tho paupers' last resource," with all its humiliating conditions, under the guise of a "military pension." Needless to add ,tho. offer was indignantly declined, and the trouble tho veterans, their families, and their friends took at last general elections, was well repaid by the downfall of the Ward Ministry. Tho Government now in power, being composed of an entirely different type of men, have considered the claims of our old 6oldiers from a more humanitarian and a more generous point of view. Tho Bill that has been brought forward by the Hon. Mr. Fisher betokens a desire to look after those men who most require assistance, while the whole tenor of the Bill reflects great credit on that painstaking Minister. It is a pity, however, that the pension was not extended to every man holding the New Zealand medal. _ Assuming that the medal carried with it a pension of twelve, 'or even six pounds per annum (irrespective of a man's means or whether he was drawing tho _ old ag<T pension or otherwise) this military distinction would bo a source of pride to all who were entitled to draw it. It is very questionable whether the call on the Treasury would be any larger than on the suggested Bill. The votecatching speeches of several of the Opposition _ members who. in tho thorough Socialistio style are always prepared to freely give away what they do not possess, may mislead unthinking veterans. If, however, these good old men would but remember that when Mr. Massey oame into power he had to face an empty Treasury, and an enormous amount of maturing liabilities, and being an honest man would not promise to payJaway money the colony could not afford.' They must realise that the Bill before tho House is a generous offering from a sympathetic Government.—l am, OLD SETTLEE.