BRITISH LEGION

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 22 November 1927, Page 7

BRITISH LEGION

TO VISIT U.S. EXPENSE OBJECTIONS. London, Oct. 15. The suggestion made by the retiring National Legion commander, Howard P. Savage, when leaving England, that the success of the visit has been so obvious as to suggest the desirability of the British Legion visiting the United States next year, receives a most sympathetic reception iu responsible British circles. It is realised, however, that conomie conditions and the great expense involved in travelling to America to make a pilgrimage on the same scale as the American venture out of the question. A typical comment was that given to a representative of The Christian Science Monitor by Sir Laming Worthington-Evans, the Minister of War: “I sincerely hope the day may come when it will be possible for thc members of the British Legion to return the visit of the American Legion to this country, which has just concluded so happily. Such visits should do more than anything else to preserve the spirit of comradeship in which the soldiers of each nation fought side by side, and keep alive the ideals for which so many gave their lives.”

Lieut.-Col. George Crosfield, chairman of the British Legion, said that the British Legion had been much touched by Commander Savage’s kind suggestion. He added, however, that as much as they would like to make the trip for reasons of kinship, comradeship and renewing friendships, the still economic problems which faced the British Legion in finding places in industry for ex-service men precluded their devoting their energies to any other work until that problem is settled. He added that when a real trade revival produces happy eeoonmic conditions for the rank and file of the Legion, no project will he more welcome than an opportunity to renew associations with the men who fought shoulder to shoulder in defence of human liberty.