EMPIRE EX-SERVICEMEN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 287, 1 November 1934, Page 6

EMPIRE EX-SERVICEMEN.

With attention focussed on the celebrations of the Centenary of Victoria some of the gatherings which have been arranged in conjunction with the event may be overlooked. Yet some of these are of importance to the whole Empire, notably the conference of ex-servicemen’s organisations which will meet very shortly. Advantage has been taken of the great occasion in the Australian State’s history to hold there this year this gathering- of representatives of ex-soldiers and ex-sailors from all parts of the Empire— Britain, South Africa, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other parts will participate in the deliberations —and since there are many problems of common interest to all it is hoped that much good will accrue from the discussions and exchange of views. New Zealand will be ably represented by leading members of the executive of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, and. they are fortified in their mission by the gratifying fact that in recent years there has taken place a substantial increase in the membership of their organisation, . betokening a reawakening of interest in its work. The main lines of interest in the conference discussions may lie along, the subjects of reciprocal pensions and the late manifestation of war disabilities. In this country there are many ex-imperial Force members whose claims to recognition for war disability have been handled with . credit by the R.S.A., but there are numerous points of difference in policy as between the respective . Governments, a solution of which may be advanced by the conference discussions. Again, all over the Empire there has arisen the question of obtaining recognition of the claims of those whose health has been broken directly as a result of the war, but who have not advanced them as quickly as perhaps they might have done had they retained their original domicile. Time was when such topics as overseas settlement might have taken up a large part of the deliberations, but for the present that is at a standstill. Whatever the outcome of the conference, it will be recognised that those taking part m it hold the highest credentials m their respective spheres, while in addition many of them are officers of hi Hi rank and command the deep respect of the Governments of the countries they represent, lhe o-athering may well be termed the Imperial Conference of ExServicemen.