EMPIRE SERVICE LEAGUE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17325, 27 May 1918, Page 2

EMPIRE SERVICE LEAGUE

CONFERUNCE OF DELEGATES. Tho first oonic.roiico of tho Empire Service Loaguo was opened in Wellington on Thurs- ! day lust, when delegates attended from i Wellington, Dunedin, llawko's Bay, Amber- ' ley, Nelson, Pelorus Sound, and Ekcrtahuiui, < ai«l wore welcomed by tho Mayor of Wei- < (Mr J. P. Luke, C.M.G.). Mr Mason Chambers (Ilavelock North) was elected to the cliuir. After receiving the roj>ort of tho organism* 1 (Mr Pere.hal Witherby), tho oontereneo 1 spout tlio duy in settling the linos of tho i organisation. A constitution was adopted < which sets out- the aims and obji., of tho league. Tho ideal at which tho league ' aims, states tho constitution, is national 1 unity, a closer and moie sympathetic coin- ! radeship and co-operation between all classes and citizens, and between all peoples and ! countries ol the Empire, combined with thcfreedom of each of such peoples to manage its own affairs and t-o develop its own in- ' clividuality, tlio privilege of set-government ! being extended to every community witlim* ! the Empire v.hat proves capable ol exercising ' it. 'ihe league endeavours to approach the ideal of a commonwealth founded on the principle of the service of each for all, by inculcating in the people from childhood upwards the principle of duty, the responsibility of citizenship, tho sanctity of the plighted word, and love of justice. Every movement - of a non-party and u:nsectarian character that has for its object tho improve- ; ment of the character and condition of the people, whether from the spiritual, mental, physical, or material standpoint, and that renders them more efficient m tho discharge of their responsibilities to their State, their Empire, and tho world at large, will have the league's hearty support, 'ihe loaguo seeks to improve and develop our national system of education, to help in tho reorganisation of our social an dmd'ustrial system so as to ameliorate the relations between the different classes and sections of reorganisation of our social and industrial harmony instead of strife, to combat materialism which so taints our individual and national life, and to purify our political hystem by securing the return to Parliament and to public bodies generally of men ot high character, wide vision, experience, and moral courage ; by ensuring that the country shall be governed on broad, democratic, and statesmanlike lines, instead of being made the football of party; by having the great departments of State anil tho great jiublic offices no longer treated as rewards for services rendered to a political party, but administered and filled by ihe most suitable men in tho community; and by the recognition on the part of all I leaders of the body politic that democratic government can only survive if its citizens realise and fulfil their duty to serve the State even unto death. Among tho subjects which the league, under its constitution, proposes to concentrate its energies are tlio following: — Citizenship and the service of tho State .n all its brandies; good government of tho Empire in general, of our own country in particular, and of cach of the latter's districts and institutions; the education of the people; social and industrial reorganisation. The lines upon which tho league may bo directed to effect its purpose are: The endeavour by each member in his everyday life to give practical effect to the princinle of free service of each for all; the formation of branches aijd groups for study and exchange of ideas; literary propaganda, including articles in tho newspapers and magazines, public addresses and meetings, formation of libraries and the special encouragement in our education institutions of the spirit of public service; the recognition of the responsibilities involved in the government of tho Empire, and tho true meaning of democracy. Officers were elected as follow: —Chairman, Mr Mason Chambers; secretary-trea-surer, Mr Percival Witherby; assistant secretary, Captain Barclay (Wellington); members of executive—Miss Mabel Hodge and Mr J. Phillips (Hastings), Dr Colquhoun (Dunedin), Mr H. F. von Haast (Wellington), Mr R. D. Fell (Nelson and Sounds), and Mr G. T. Booth (Christchurch). The delegate from Amberley branch (Mrs Hotchkin) gave an encouraging report on the work of that branch, showing that under the auspices ol the Empire Service League all classes in the community had co-operated in patriotic effort, " affording," as the confcrence resolution of thanks stated, "an example of personal patriotic service of the nature of which the league is proud." Motions were adopted instructing the executive to secure all official reports bearing education and industrial problems from England, and tho importance of interesting university students in the work of the league was mentioned. Reports of an encouraging nature in regard to the financing of the league's proposed activities were presented by the various delegates, who, in their first day's meeting, placed the new organisation on a good business foundation. The conference concluded on Friday morning, when u number of interesting addresses were delivered. The eonterenco confirmed the constitution as amended by the executive, and also approved of plans for organisation and the raising of funds. Dr Colquhouu (Dunedin) gave an address upon the aims and objects ol tho league, suggesting that the keynoto of Empire service was conveyed in a phrase of Mr LloycJ George, "terrible realities." We had lived our lives as if tho foundations of society could never be shaken, but there had arisen a nation whioh deliberately laid its plans upon the reverse of tho axiom that righteousness lacaiteth a nation, ilere we were laceil with the terrible reality, beside which the troubles of politicians and the disputes ot capital and labour were trivial. Ihe Empire Service League was putting forward in a new shape tile ideal, old as the hills, of cooperation, lrienalmess, and mutual helpfulness. A lengthy and important paper on " Education," by Mr £j. R. Dickinson, M.A., oi St. Andrew's College, Cliristchuroli, was read by Miss Hodge, and the thanks of the conference votixi to the writer, whoso paper was handed the Literary Committee. Mr Charles Eu Wheeler was invited to address the conference on tho attitude of Labour to tile league's ideals. He described the two principal schools of thougnt ana action in the Labour w.orld, showed how " round table" metnods had worked successfully in preserving harmony in the railway service, and told of the suocess of the Workers' Educational Association owing to the anxiety of working men to educate themselves to become good citizens. If the close 00-operation of the working classes was desired by tho league, it should take hold of some important social question, and fearlessly apply its ideals to it, otherwise Labour would take up a passive attitude towards the organisation. A spirited discussion followed, during which several members expressed approval of tho plea for practical application of the league's ideals, when -it was certain that unanimity of opinion could be obtained. Votes of thanks to the chairman, .Mr Witherby, and others who had assisted in making the proceedings a success were carried with acclimation, and the chairman declared that the first confcrence of the league had been exceedingly interesting and valuable.