AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 July 1925, Page 3

AMERICAN ITEMS.

[Australia & N.Z. (fable Association ] ITALIAN' DEBTS TO U.S.A. WASHINGTON, June JO. Further conferences in einineetion with the fundinp of the Italian war debt: have been indefinitely postponed, following on to-day’s meeting at which Italy’s capacity to repay "ill he analysed. THE FLEET SAILS. HONOLULU, Jilly 1. The American fleet has sailed. EX-SEH VI (’EM EN. OTTAWA CONFERENCE. OTTAWA. .Inno fit). The Empire Service League Coiifcrence here endorsed the League of Nations and it passed a resolution calling on tlie* constituent organisation to educate public opinion a- to the value of the League’s work. A strong plea for unity among all ex-service men and for merging all returned soldier organisations in Canada

into one big union of war veterans with unanimity in their ideals of service was made by Earl Haig at a Veterans’ rally. "I love in.v old comrades and you can depend on me to do all I can to help," declared Lord Haig. Chairman Lister, of the licitish Legion, Major-General Sir James Hassell (New Zealand) the Hon J. Cornell (West Australia) and others from all parts of the Empire joined in the plea for unity. The Conference adopted a resolution that the League express profound disappointment at the results achieved under the Empire Settlement Act, 1933. That the concessions made by the British railways to totally-disabled men ns to the travelling expenses of their attendant should lie made operative throughout the Empire. That the ex-servicemen’s organisations of the Empire he acquainted with the good work being doin' in certain countries by women’s sections ol constituent assocations. with a view to the general establishment of women's sections to help in the work for ex-service men. That the policy he approved of permitting some ex-service men's organisations and that all the constituent organisations in the league, he. invited to send suggestions with the idea of unity of action.

The conference also passed a resolution requesting the Service League to help the veterans resident in the Irish Free State, and to negotiate agreements with the Dominions similar to that framed under the Empire Settlement Act.

"Captain J. To Bennett (North ot Ireland delegate) said he could see no reason why the ex-service men of the South of Ireland should be excluded from the benefits of the Empire Settlement scheme because of the political changes, for which they were not to any great extent responsible.