BRITISH LEGION.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1926, Page 3

BRITISH LEGION.

A NOTABLE GATHERING. [Reuter Telegrams.] (Received this day at 12.25 p.m. i LONDON, -May 23. The Prince of Wales in a speech at the annual conference of the British Legion attended by delegates representing hundreds of thousands of men. including for the first time representatives from Ireland and the British Empire, said the Jx-gion was one of our greatest organisations for doing good. He dwelt oil the success of the Legion in finding employment for ex-servicemen and paid a tribute to the co-operation of employers, asking them also to give the Legion an oppportunitv of supplying some of the extra labour.

General Sir Douglas Haig (President) said there had been a nett increase of 159 branches in the past year and 161 new branches in the women’s section, formed. He urged the Legion and the British Empire Service League to cooperate with the Home and Dominion authorities to procure a large scheme for emigration. The Legion sent a loyal message to tlie King, who replied, expressing his deep appreciation. Four thousand ex-servicemen and six thousand public attended a service of remembrance at the Cenotaph in M liitelinll.

The Prince of Wales and General Haig led the procession of ex-service-men fronr the Horse Guards’ Parade, and members of the women’s branch participated in the procession. The Prince of Wales laid the Legion’s wreath of laurel and poppies at the foot of the cenotaph, inscribed: “Legion of living salute legion of dead, and we will not break faith with ye.” The “ Last Post ” and Reveille were sounded and the National Anthem sung.