MAORI WAR PENSIONS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1754, 20 May 1913, Page 4

MAORI WAR PENSIONS.

Sir,—Many of us felt assured that with the adv-cat 'to power of' the Eeform Government the claims of those few still living who took part in the Maori wars would be met. For nearly fifty years this country had disgraced itself by refusing a pension to the men who had willingly : risked life and health and limb in tho Native wars of the 'sixties. The Act of last session certainly did .something for some of the more fortunate vetorans. But, sir, more than this is urgently needed. It is common knowledge that the difficulties which are placed lioforc too many genuine applicants by officialdom arc insurmountable, and I, sir, protest, with whatovcr strength is in me against the

unnecessary ami absurd provisions attaching to the granting of the pension. All thoso who can prove that tlie.v took active part in the Maori wars should be granted the old soldier's pension without delay. The absurdity and callous irony of the answers to some of the applicant's by the well-paid and much-betitlod snug official at headquarters is not a fitting return by our country to tlioss once strong and brave, now' bent and affed, men—to these poor old chaps who risked all to preservo tlio men, women, and children of New Zealand in the 'sixties from bloody

nuvsvaci-e and untold liorrors. Sir, liow i* il possible now, after a lnjis-o of nearly half a century, and wi'lh all the changes which such a period involves iu such a country as this has been, with lack of memory, dsntli, change of residence, and at forth—liow, sir, in it possible for many of the=s> old men "to got statutory evidence from officers or comrades who know of their own personal knowledge that the applicants actually look part in engagements," and .so on? Many of them have drifted about quite a lut since the war, gold-dicing and pioneering, helping consciously or unconsciously to pave the way for us of in-day. We now live sleekly and comfortably becauso of these adventurous and indomitable spirits who pre-

mol lis and wh. 0 too often had no thought for themselves.

Irepeat, sir, that the denial of the old soldiers pension to any one of the old men who can provo that ho took active part in the Maori wars is a standing disgrace against our country, against the hovornnient which has power 1o right tho wrong, and against us all who- tolerate such a Government. The records in manv eases are available; and.it is'the duty of line Minister responsible to assure himself that every applicant's given the utmost possible active assistance to establish his claim. There are l'cw of these fine old men now remaining; soon there will be none. They are inarticulate for the greater part, but thc.v rankle under a keen sense of base injustice. Sir, I trust that the Government will bring tlown an amending Bill covering the 'above object (luring 'the coming session, a Bill which will minimise red tape and officialism and do tardy justice by granting the military pension to every living man in .New Zealand who can prove that ho took part in the Maori wars. Sir, these men have not had "a square deal"; surely Mr. Massey is not going to wait for a juster and kindlier death to give it to them. If not, he must bestir himself.—l am, etc. DEEDS NOT WOBDs! Nelson, May 14.