BONDS OF EMPIRE

Otago Witness, Issue 3619, 24 July 1923, Page 20

BONDS OF EMPIRE

SERVICE LEAGUE CONFERENCE. IN REMEMBRANCE. LESSONS OF THE WAR. LONDON, July 16. In opening the first biennial conference cf the British Empire Service League, which was attended by delegates from all parts of the Empire, the Duke of Devonshire (Secretary of State for the Colonies) emphasised the importance of Lining to the most profitable account a victory fained at so great a cost. He was condent that if there were a co-operative spirit, unity, and determination, however serious and complicated the problems, there would be ultimate success. Earl Haig, in welcoming the delegates, saad that the league's new endeavour could be summed up in the words “Unity, Comradeship, and Peace.” InterEmpire migration presented a rich field for the work of the league, and the Empire’s future depended upon its successful solution. Ho urged the maintenance of friendship and a good understanding with the ex-service organisations of the Allied peoples, especially the United States. Such common action would spell the peace of the world. In the interests of peace ex-servicemen should stand for the adequate defence of the Empire. An unarmed nation did not keep the respect and friendship of its neighbours. We had seen what unpreparedness had cost this genera tion, and had seen the sin of unprepared ness visited on our children. The fact

was that in 1914 the Empire was unor ganised, even in skeleton form, for a war of defence. The league must press for a defensive organisation. General Sir Alfred Bussell (New Zealand) expressed the thanks of the delegates. He said that populating the vast areas overseas was essential to the security of the dominions. The Prince of Wales was re-elected patron, and Earl Haig grand president. A message from the American Legation expressed the hope that “the world may see in our continued unity hope for the universal brotherhood of man.” General Sir Alfred Russell moved a resolution urging that the Imperial and Dominion Governments should consult the league in relation to migration with a view to preventing distress from arising as a result of incomplete schemes. He suggested that the league should submit to the Imperial and Economic Conferences a clear and definite expression of what might be done to facilitate the settlement of exservicemen overseas. The delegates were unanimously of opinion that the dominions were opposed to all unregulated schemes of migration. Earl Haig said he could not admit that all the ex-servicemen who failed overseas were wasters. “ The dominions,” he said, “ should ask for nothing more than good men of grit and determination. We must ask the dominions to be less exacting, especially with regard to financing the settlement of ex-servicemen.” With the institution of the splendid societies to assist migrants overseas there should he an end to the complaints of distress and friendlessness.

Eventually a representative sub-com-mittee was formed to investigate the migration of ex-servicemen. SPEECH BY PRINCE OF WALES. LONDON, July 17. The King received the delegates to v the Empire Service League gathering at Buckingham Palace. The Prince of Wales, in presiding at a dinner to welcome the overseas delegates to the Empire Service League Conference, said: ‘‘The comradeship of service which enabled us to win the war is still alive throughout the Empire, and is helpi'ng us in our efforts to overcome the many grave and difficult problems which face the whole of the civilised world.” Referring to the projected visit of the delegates to the graves in France and Belgium, the Prince said: “If it impresses you as it did me you will return to your homes in the far corners of the Empire assured that these hallowed rest-ing-places are cared for in a manner worthy of those whose memory you perpetuate. Let us not forget that in one sense we can never be ex-servicemen, in peace or in war. We all still owe service to our fellow-men. So long as we are bound by the strong bonds of comradeship and mutual help our position will be unassailable.” The Prince read a message from the King expressing gratification at the efforts of the League to maintain and strengthen the bonds of friendship throughout the Empire. At the Empire Service League Conference the strengthening of Anglo-American

relations in order to establish world peace was the principal subject discussed. Mr Dyett (Australia), in moving the resolution, said that civilisation demanded closer co-operation between the Englishspeaking peoples. Mr J. B. Cohen, M.P., in seconding the motion, declared that it was no platitude to say that all the ex-servicemen never again desired to see war. laird Haig said that the ideals of the American and British ex-servicemen were the same. It was a great pity that the men of both countries were not more closely affiliated. At the present time the ex-servicemen of the British Empire were so ambitious in this direction that they would welcome an American president of the proposed joint league. The resolution was carried bv acclamation. July_ 18. At the Empire Service League Conference General Sir Andrew Russell presented the report of the Sub-committee on Emigration, which stated that about 300,000 ex-servicemen in England were out of work, and a considerable number who were over 30 were also without prospects of employment in the near future. It was considered that many who were at present unfit could become efficient by a system of training in camps in England. The report recommended the conference to approve of regulated emigration and land settlement within the Empire and to pledge members to assist the schemes. It also recommended the Imperial Government to make arrangements that would enable the grand president of the league to meet the dominion Ministers attending the forthcoming Imperial Conference and communicate to them the conclusions of the conference. On the motion of Sir Andrew Russell, seconded by the Australian delegate, the report was adopted. MARKETING CONCESSIONS REQUESTED. LONDON, July 19. The Empire Service League’s Conference resolved, on the motion of Mr Dyett (Australia). to approach the Imperial Government to provide money to enable exImperia] servicemen overseas to receive the same privileges as those accorded to exmembers of the A.I.F. The conference also passed a resolution at the instance of Mr Hills (Australia) that in order to facilitate laud settlement within the Empire the British Government be requested t-o arrange a scheme of concessions for the marketing of commodities. Such a scheme would result in much increased settlement and production. General Wylie (South Africa), in seconding the motion, said it was right that the Mother Country should give concessions, especially in such far-distant dominions as Australia a.nd New Zealand. It was decided to hold the next biennial conference in Australia, provided there were no insuperable difficulties. IN REMEMBRANCE. LONDON, July 20. Earl Haig marched at the head of the delegates to the Ex-servicemen’s Conference' to the Cenotaph, and deposited on it a wreath of Flanders poppies.—A. and a wreath of Flanders poppies.