SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 16, 14 October 1919, Page 6

SOUTH AFRICAN VETERANS

Sir—After tlie Government having noted so generously towards the returned soldiers, wo South African veterans nre surely not asking too much when we solicit "the same privileges as the former enjoy liJider the Land Settlement Act. What reason is there for turning our request down? Wo aro told that the Hoer War was a "picnic" compared with this war, and that in the Boer War wo wero not fighting for the "Empire's very existence." In reply, I would point out that neither war was a "picnic," but that the "picnic" has como in the shapo of land settlement facilities for men who were fortu.nate enough to get merely as far as Trcntham Camp. Again, a lot of these men were not volunteers. As for the nation's safely, wo did not raise any question about that in 1899, hut offered our services for what was coming along. Tho men who were in camp tflien the present war ended did little moro than wo who had ijassed fit, and were under orders to go into camp. Why mako a distinction ? If the Government cannot let South African men in, is there any hope for the men I have just mentioned? It is not as if the South African men were asking for anything in tho nature of a gift, hs in most cases the f^w—and there are only a few who aro keen to get on to land—who would enter tho linllot have their own money to start with. Trusting this matter 'will bo put right befor tho Amendment Dill finally passes.—l am, etc., IT. M'GREGOR.