EX-SOLDIERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16307, 23 December 1920, Page 4

EX-SOLDIERS.

CQNFgRENGE-AT GAPE TOWN.

80-MINIOX REPRESKNTATR'ES

CHOSEN

[Pee .Fixers Association - ,] WELLINGTON. December 23. Pile New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association has nominated Air C. W. Batten (Wellington) and Nil* W. E. Headley (Christchurch) as its representatives at the conference of ex-soldicr organisations of tho Empire to be held to Capo Town in February, under the presidency of Field-Marshal Earl Haig. Tho countries concerned will be Great Britain. Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, and delegates Fill represent fourteen separate organisations. Tiie objects aimed at by the gathering will he:— (11 Unification and amplification of pension, land, repatriation and immigration policies. <-) Betterment of ex-soldiers’ lot throughout the Empire. (3) Amalgamation of all Empire exsoldier organisations to the end that a. real backbone for tho League of Nations may bo formed. (4) Organisation of ways and means by which tho Empire’s ex-soldiers may best continue to serve it.

The Grand Council of the League of Comrades (South Africa) and .the pubno of South Africa have decided to pay H l6 expenses of Earl Haig’s visit to the Union, also to defray tho expenses of all other delegates for the fourteen days during which the conference will deliberate.

sending of two delegates from; the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association binges upon wdicther tha : Government will pay their travelling and incidental expenses. It has been pointed out to Cabinet that the sending ot these delegates would he an excellent advertisement for tho Dominion, as they would be able to illustrate the. tact that New Zealand’s repatriation policy has been the most successful in the world. The Government lias been requested to pay the cost from can. teen funds still available, and a favourable reply is looked for almost immer, from the Prime .Minister and the Minister of Defence. ’ If the Government agrees and Messrs Batten and Leadley are able to secure the necessary leave and accept nomination, they will depart for Capo Town early in the New Year.