OLD SOLDIERS OF NEW ZEALAND.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1886, 22 October 1913, Page 11

OLD SOLDIERS OF NEW ZEALAND.

$ YEARLY' conference. Delegates of the Royal Now Zealand Association of His Majesty's Veterans met in conference at the Town Hall yesterday. Major H. A. Lomax (Wanganui) presided, and there were also present: Colonel S. 'Netvall (Wellington), Mr. F. W. Re veil (Wellington), Mr. R. Tingey (Wellington), Mr. H. Walton (Masterton), Lieutenant T. .Humphries (Taraiiaki), Mr. J. K. Kevell (Wangahui), Mr. S. Stidolph (Hawera), Colonel Porter, C.13. t(Gisbonie), Captain S. A. Prieo. N.Z.C. (Palmerston North), Jlr. J. C. Capper (Napier). An apology for absence was received from Mr. Dugald M'Kellar (Toranaki), whoso liealth would not permit of his being present. Tho Report. j , The annual report and the balancesheet were adopted. The report Stated that the action of tho Government, in passing thb Military Pension Act, 1913, gave general satisfaction. All tho branches aro doing well, with the exception of the Napier Branch. His Excellency tho Governor (the Earl of Liverpool) kindly accepted tho position of president. It was with regret that the association recorded tho death of tho late Captain It. C. Hamerton, who for many years represented tho Taraiiaki Branch at the annual conference. In conclusion tho report stated that a large gathering of veterans is to tako placo at Hawera on November 6, 1913, and veterans desiring to attend it could obtain railway passes by handing in their names to tho secretary. In reply to a petition to His Majesty tho King for permission to wear the association's badge on the left breast, His Excellency the Governor advised that this could inot ho granted, as it was contrary to custom' and regulation. Returns from branches gave information as follows: —Masterton, 10 members, one death during year, cash balance £1 Is.; Wangamti, '32 members, 4 deaths, cash £18 195.; Gisborno, 46 members, 4 deaths, cash Bs.; Hawera and County, 42 members, 1 death, cash £7 ; Manawatu and Palmerston North, 19 members, 4 deaths, cash £3 14s. Id.; Wellington, 88 members, 2 deaths, cash £92 14s. 4d.; Taranaki, 128 members, 6 deaths, cash £10 13s. Id. Total, £66 members (280 New Zealand war veterans), 22 deaths (19 New Zealand war veterans). Military Pensions, After some discussion on. the question „ of military pensions, it was resolved: "That the Government having now liberally extended tho military pensions to the voterans holding New Zealand war medals, this conferenco desires to express its gratification on behalf of tho veterans, but, at the same time, to urge tho Department responsible for tho issue of medals, to more • closely examine the claims, so that the privilege now granted be not abused, and that the chairman, Colonel Nowall, Colonel Porter, and Captain Preece lay tho matter beforo tho Minister." Other Business. A resolution was passed with respeit to a certain publication on events _in one of the Maori Wars. The resolution stated that tho book was, in certain respects, inaccurate, and also did injustice to certain officers who figured with distinction in tho campaign mentioned. Officers wore elected as follow: — Vice-President, Major H. A. Lomax; secretary and treasurer, Mr. S. Stidolpli; auditor, Lieutenant Humphries; Central Committee, Messrs. H. Walton and F. W. Revell.