THE EMPIRE SERVICE LEAGUE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17323, 24 May 1918, Page 2

THE EMPIRE SERVICE LEAGUE.

CONFERENCE OF DELEGATES. A conference of delegates from tlie branches of tho Empire Service League in the dominion was neict at Wellington yesterday. The report of the hon. secretary (Mr Percivat VVitiierby) dealt with the gradual development of tae movement and oi the work done during the past 12 montlis, besides presenting the progress made, notwithstanding the peculiar difficulties that had been met with. i.ho report, in so far as it relates to the relations between Capital and Labour, is published elsewhere. Ihe following is an abstract ot its other features:—Tho progress of the Empire Service movement durnig the past 12 months has been considerable, and has been commented on in England, Canada, and Australia. Six branches of the league have been established in Now Zealand. Although the membership is as yet less than a thousand, mere members are not everything. What the league aims at is quality of service as distinguished from quantity. This is amplified in the report and fooussed in the statement that "the State —which is the people themselves—cannofc or Prog™ Bl3 , unless its oitizens unselfishly devote themselves to its service." Precisely the same tost principle applies to the Lmpire Service League, which might bo described as " the State or Empire in miniature. As a corollary the question lias a personal bearing—" What am I doing for the Empire Service League?" „ The league's objects nave been clearly defined by tho Otago branch as follows: — (1) To unite more thoroughly for tho deof the Empire and for the extension of tho freedom wo havo inherited. (2) To mould an educational policy based on tho principle of ua&ional service, as against individual or class aggrandisement. (3) To influence public opinion 011 the danger to society of permitting poverty wasto, and idleness, so that it will reprobate misuse of wealth on the one hand, and habits tending to pauperism on the other. (4) To influence opinion among employers and employees in favour of closer and more sympathetic relations. The report dealt mainly with the second and fourth of these objects. The matter of education was emphasised in the report as one of the principal objects of the league. An eduoational policy based 011 the principle of national servioe as against individual or class aggrandisement. .."> . . The adult mind may be hard to change, but that does not mean it is impossible to change it." The question of education implied a public campaign, a national crusade, to create a new public opinion—a crusade "supported by the thought and actite power of that large section of the people who are to-day yearning for better things led. by men and women who believe in their cause and will act as such and not as sheep." The report dealt with many aspects of the educational problem, and had some tonic words touching the type of men and women teachers, and an earnest plea for better remuneration and a higher social status. It should, never bo forgotten that " the future of a nation depends to an enormous extent on the training of its young," and that this fact necessarily makes the teaching profession "one of tho most, if not the most, important of all professions." . The report, concluded with valuable suggestions regarding the future of the league and some consequential chancres in the method and scope of its activities. z |Pu United Pbbss Associatioh.) WELLINGTON, May 23. The following officers wero elected:— Chairman, Mr Mason Chambers; secretary and treasurer, Mr Porcival Witherby; assistant secretary, Captain Barclay (Wellington) ; members of the executive—Miss Mabel Hodge and Mrs J. PhilKps (Has. tings), Dr Colquhoun (Dunedin), Messrs H, F. von Haast (Wellington), R. D. Fell (Nelson and Sounds), G. T. Booth (Chiisfcehuroh).