BRITISH LEGION

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 29, 3 August 1933, Page 19

BRITISH LEGION

THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

POPPY DAY FUNDS

(From "Tha Post's" Representative.) LONDON, June 9. At the annual three days' conference of the British Legion a aeries of proposed amendments to the charter were first dealt with. The first of these was to modify the clause barring membership to scientious objectors" by substituting "thoso who were conscientious* objectors in the Great War, 1914-1921.," Supporters of .the .amendment argued that there should bo provision for those who frankly and courageously said thai though they fought in tho Gi-cat War they were determined not to serve again because they believed in the cause of peace. A Newcastle -delegate, in opposition, said if tho amendment were adopted they would bo playing into the hands of the "no more war movement" run by the Communist element. "Make them go to a movement which wants 'conchies,' " he said. NTho chairman expressed the view that wo were right in. the last war. Si there was another war the question of taking, part in it w.ould be one for, decision at the time. As for him and his family, they would do as they had done before. Anyone who proclaimed now what ho would not do in the future was only doing it for publicity. All the proposals for amendment of tho charter 'were, rejected. THS BENEFICIARIES. There was considerable discussion on conflicting resolutions dealing with "benevolence." .These resolutions expressed the view, on the one hand, that "the British Legion Poppy Day appeal shall in future be made only on behalf of ex-servicemen who were members of the British Legion and the application of the fund restricted to its members, widows, or dependants"; and, on the other, that "the fund shall be available for the assistance of all members of the Legion whether their service was before, during, or after the Great War." A further view expressed was that there should be "preference" for members of the Legion, but no ,bar against ex-servicemen who were not members, especially when they had not the money for the subscriptions. The chairman said his experience up and down the country convinced him that if they confined the benefits of Poppy Day to members of tho Legion only there would be no Poppy Day or Legion in a year or so. When the voting on clarified points was taken it was unanimously resolved:—"That tho benevolent fund of the Legion raised as a result of its Remembrance Day appeal shall bo available for men who served in the Great War." Amendments to add "and pre-war men" and "and post-war men" were rejected by huge majorities, and when "such assistance shall1 be limited to members of tho Legion" was rejected almost unanimously awid cheers, the chairman exclaimed: "For God's sake, lot us hear no more of this question." Sir Frederick Maurice, in his opening address, stated that in 1930 the Legion placed 10,000 ex-servicemen in jobs; last year work was found for 25,000. and in the first six months of this year 17,000 were put into work. The Prince of Wales was unanimously re-elected patron, Lord Jellicoe vicepatron, Sir Frederick Maurice president, and Colonel John Brown as chairman. ~ ,