EMPIRE SERVICE LEAGUE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10884, 26 April 1921, Page 8

EMPIRE SERVICE LEAGUE

EX-SOLDIERS’ ORGANISATION. AN EMPIRE BODY. Tfie formation of a British Empire Service League, with Earl Haig as the first grand president, was recently decided upon at am Empire conference of ex-soldier organisations, held at Capetown. The delegates from the New Zealand R.S.A. were: Messrs H. J. Knight and' W. E. Leadley. The mam clauses of the constitution of the league aro as follow: — Policy.—The policy of the League shall Go national, n©n-se»ta;rian and non-partisan in relation to party politics. Objects.—The objects of. the League shall be:, (a) To unite and assist the constituent organisations in carrying out the objects set forth in their respective constitutions, insofar as they are nob inconsistent with the aforesaid policy; (b) to further the, ideals of comradeship as opposed to force, as the arbiter between nations; (c) to actively recognise the vital necessity for the complete preparedness for the adequate defence of the Empire; (d) to perpetuate the memory of the gallant men and women who suffered or died for the Empire; (e) to foster and maintain that spirit of self-sacrifice which inspired ex-service men to subordinate their individual welfare to the interests of the common weal; (f) to inculcate and perpetuate a spirit of comradeship and patriotism throughout, the Empire; (g) to provide a central headquarters for the collection and interchange of information relative to the welfare of ex-service men throughout the Empire; (h) to provide for a policy of reciprocity ,ias between the constituent organisations and an equitable system of transfer of membership. (i) to hold conferences on matters of concern to the Empire and to ex-ser-vice men; (j) to do all such other things as may be considered incidental or conducive to attaining the above objects and to promote generally' by al? constitutional means the interests of tlie Empire and 1 the League. Constitution.—The League shall consist of: (a) The conference as herinafter constituted; (b) an Empire headquarters to be situated in London; (c) (.i) a national headquarters in the United Kingdom, one each in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, (2) Dominion headquarters in each Dominion or territory, with branches within their_ rekpeotives States, Provinoos or districts, ais the case mav be. Conferences to be held biennially, if possible, with six delegates from the British Isles, and three each from the Dominions. Each Dominion shall appoint a Dominion president and a Dominion vice-president. Finance.—The League .shall he financed on the following; basisi —British Isles, £2OO per annum; each other Dominion, £IOO per annum.