LOYALTY FIRST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22432, 29 November 1934, Page 5

LOYALTY FIRST

. '■; ;RErpNED SOLbIESk RUMPUS IN NEW SOUTH WAtES SYDNEY, Noyetnbef 55?/-, • Although tie returned:; ' soldiers' in- New Soi^th composed of men from, every-; "wJtIK" of life and every political '• coloury Royalty to' the Crown has always been strongest point. From the very outset the Returned Soldiers' League has been strictly non-party and non-political, and every effort to change this policy hfs been vigorously arid successfully resisted. The latest attempt at insurrection was made at Lithgow, a, flourishing mining and manufacturing town about 100-mile* from Sydney, on the main western line. This has been countered by drastic actions taken; by.the headquarters of tha league in Sydney. ...*. The .membershp of the Lithgow subbranch naturally included a large .number of miners, many of whom J owa allegiance to f extreme Labour ; elements and anti-imperialistic organisations. At its last meeting the branch decided that it would decline to take part in any official welcome to the Duke of Gloucester, but suggested that, if any individual member wished to participate, he would, be permitted to do so in his private capacity only. The decision was not reached .without a heated discussion, which showed that members were very divided on the subject. Efforts were made by loyal members of the branch to secure the rescission of the motion, but these failed. The branch also declined an invitation issued to its president and secretary to visit Sydney for the opening of the Anzac Memorial by the Duke on Saturday, the. reason being, that th« branch objected to the presence at the Duke. Acceptance of the invitation would not have involved the branch in any expenses, as the Government had already agreed to meet these". , The Lithgow decisions were viewe4 with great concern by members of the league'council, and it was immediately decided to withdraw the charter from the braneh, which must accordingly b# dissolved. It is understood that steps will be taken to re-form the branch, a proviso being made that it shall consist only of members who will observe the policy and constitution of the governing body of the Returned Soldiers' League. Actually the Lithgow branch has violated the two main objects of the league, which are as follows: — 1. To inculcate loyalty to Australia and the British Commonwealth of Nations. 2. To guard the good name and interests of returned soldiers and sailors. During the visit of the Duke to Aus* tralia no section of the community hai made nione loyal displays than the returned soldiers. The returned Boldiers are proud of their record and are determined that it shall not be besmirched by any small section, ~