EMPIRE SERVICE LEAGUE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume L, Issue 175, 5 October 1917, Page 4

EMPIRE SERVICE LEAGUE

BRANCH FORMED 1 IN NELSON. ~ A REPRES!?NjfAT.itE GATHERIN^.' So far as numbers go there wag not \ a very large attendance at the City Council chambers on Wednesday evening to form a branch" of the Empire Service League in' Nelson, but those who-, did attend were fully m sympathy with; the movement, and solid foundations were laid for the- growth of a.very,, healthv branch in Nelson. . '....■ R. Duncan, who had been voted to tile chair, after explaining objects of the meeting, said that there was no doubt that if the principles of the League were put into operation it would tend to create a better feeling among all sections of the community, which was very desirable, especially in. these times. Good'fellowship would.do much to bring about a better state- pi affairs. . ' '

Mr Withorby moved that a branch bo formed in Nelson, and in so delivered the lengthy address printed in part yesterday, and also in to-day's issue. Mr W. J. Moffatt said it gave him verv much pleasure to second the. motion. While they wer e »U associated more or less in 'various organisations, which had for their objectives the, wellare of the peode, they -were-.very largely working along separate lines, and the result' of the divided action xvas that not a very'great deal of good was done. Here, however, was an organization in. which all could work to-jre-.-er for the furtherance of the principles of good-citizenship. "He had r,ead Mr Withcrbv's pamphlet "What Freedom iMeans/' and it had, appealed to bim very stronply. The great aim was to bridge the gulf that existed between the various sections of the community. A section of the neoplc had made money out of the war. This would not. be so if the State were governed under the familv principle.. „iFurther, if tli.i principles" of the League became more firmly established among, the people, the British Emnir e would-hold its-owii among tne nations and would forgo ahead. k . ...-,• ino resolution was carried unanimou:--lY

Chairman said that the principlesof justice and beneficence towards-'orie another had been preached often enough nut the trouble was they : .wbre not alwavs put into effect. Want of wi.l power and the" economic ' er.r of the other man getting the better £f us—seemed to be the cause'' of, ,th«» failures. These high principles should be instilled into the:■ -rising generation, and it behoved them to urge on .Education Boards, etc., the importance of . tno wisest choice of teachers. jMnoigood work was being done:, already 'by mo'tiv teachers,, but thero : was need, fc,r fuller recognition of the importance of tho work bv the , bbntrolling, authorities vtore attentidn should ,be paid to, trie, development of character. Mental v.ttainment was no goid without Ft. The election of officers was then, proceeded with. j ■*.*> '.•/-.'' Mr A. K. (Dyson proposed, Mr :<:.... Lancaster as chairman While thrOv were all grateful to thoso who -.•usually came forward to manage their affairs for them, they felt that in, ; this. instance, new blood-'xvould .>©,;pf adyant;; aee Further, Mr Lancaster was a .'.man who would <uve the (League, a very gQbd leaa. and he would commend himself to all sections of the community, j:^,: air. W. J. Moffatt seconded, and tni' motion was carried unanimously.,'.; ■*..'} In returning'' thanks for ) election, >Mr Lancaster said .Mr Witherby a way in' which they; could '.meet ;t.{: cether and receive the benefit .of, Olio another's *iews..,, People of}, all icto* and sects and of no sects. come, and good yvouh* result >,. frcrn rubbing up against one aliother.^ On the motion of Major Stiles;; seconded; bv Mr K, G. Lucas;," Mr W. }}. Griffin was elected secretary... •,■ ■■'!■-. .-.-.' Mr W. Liddha was. elected' treasury on the motion of "Mr Lucas, seconded bv Maior Stiles. ■ , . .-..,,, '•', Mr J Ingram said that if the could establish , a better understanding between eniployeV's and employfe^.j|.fc would do a -very intentions were often misunderstoodf tli., removal of misunderstanding Wou.'i result in direct, benefit .to all., The promotion of brotherly love was - what Av.asr6ThG Chairman explained that the oTeathn of a more sympathetic artf friendlv spirit would bear fruit.in Vanon* wavs. Bitterness would be removed and vokmtarv. -understandings- «**-. ceptable to all would be/; more eas, y IC< Mr Witherbv said he lia^/appreciat;-1 Mr Ingram's ' remarks , very much indeed. Instead of the policy of > grrJ>, thev wanted the hand ofV fellowship. Mr B. Jones said Mr, Lancaster - perfect stranger to him when he -cam* into the room, but after hearing his r?rmarks he felt lie : was no longer .n stranger. He had got: a grip of .the icv ouirements. Personally, he, said lie v-.* prepared to do what he could towa<>3 seeing the League taking a -real, live nart in the life' of-the community. , Lne aicetiug concluded with votes />t thanks to. Mr Witherby. to-the: Chairman, and to the City Council for,.A>» o. the Eall.