WAR COMRADES

Evening Star, Issue 17599, 2 March 1921, Page 7

WAR COMRADES

CAPE TOWN CONFERENCE. EMPIRE LEAGUE FORMED. Pr»ii Awociatkm —By Telegraph—Copyright. CAPE TOWN, February 28. The Empire Conference of Ex-Service-men opened at the City Hall. A message was read from King George declaring that he was sure that the union of Empire warriors would strengthen the splendid spirit of fellowship evinced in the war, and give new life to the noble British ideals they fought so gallantly and successfully to save. Earl Haig, in the course of a speech, dwelt upon the common heritage all the parts represented possessed in the Empire. They were partners in a world-wide federation of nations, under the King as the symbol of unity. A resolution to form a British Empire League of Ex-Servicemen was adopted, and a discussion followed on the basis of representation. Mr Dyett, an Australian delegate, said that the Dominions should all have one vote, not a vote for every ex-service organisation, as suggested for South Africa, because the latter, unlike Australia, had failed to link up rival organisations. Mr Leadley (New Zealand) considered that Mr Dyett was making a mountain out of a molehill. It was not a question of South Africa outvoting Australia or New Zealand. . They were there for each other’s benefit. It was ultimately agreed that Britain and the Dominions should have two votes each.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

General Smuts said he hoped that the conference would help the various Governments to deal with the welfare of the soldiers. There was a true, honest desire by the Government and peoples of all parts of the Empire to do < their best to meet cases of hardship. Earl Haig said that the bond which held the ex-servicemen together should never be loosened, but handed unbroken and unbreakable down to their children’s children. There should be a guarantee for all .time throughout the wide Empire of the maintenance of the wide ideals for which they had foughu—Reuter.