SOLDIER MIGRANTS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 September 1931, Page 3

SOLDIER MIGRANTS

TO THE DOMINIONS. MORE CONSIDERATION URGED. f United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph. —-Copyright.) TORONTO, September 5. As ;the result of the complaints that have been raised by the British delegates at the British Ex-Service League Conference here, that Imperial ex-servicemen had been discriminated against in Australia, the conference approved of the following resolution on Saturday: “That this Conference reaffirms the principle established by Earl Haig that there can-be only one constituent member in any area entitled to representation in the League, but having regard to disabilities being experienced by imperial ex-service men in the dominion and the colonies, we urge upon each constituent member the necessity of making provision for all possible help to men who are in need, and who may not be recognisable under the constitution of the constituent member concerned, either through constituent or through the British Legion.” When the matter was first brought up, the British members favoured a resolution encouraging imperial ex-servicemen to establish branches of their own in the dominions, unless they' were recognised by the local organisation. The; real, difficulty was constitutional.

Mr Robb (Australia) pointed out that the constitution of the Returned Soldiers' and ■Sailors’ Imperial League of Australia admitted only Australian veterans. ;

Led by Mr H. Franks, the British delegates argued that' this was unfair. They argued this on the ground that a veteran from any part of the Empire would be admitted by the British Legion. A sub-committee arranged a compromise, which was embodied in the resolution passed. Without any dissenting voice, it was decided to hold the next conference in 1933 'in Australia, if the conditions at that time made it possible to do so.

Replying to an invitation by Colonel ■L. M. Mullen, Lord Jellicoe said he was strongly in favour* of meeting Australia, but he thought that a decision should be postponed till next year. Unforseen circumstances had made it ’impossible to hold the present . conference there, as was originally intended. Mr L. A. Robb presented Lord Jellieoe with a gravel made from timber of, tile quarter deck of “HALS*. Sydney.” Reports from all parts of the Empire showed that the work of the . ex-ser-vicemen’s organisations was increasing on a large scale.

v Sponsored by Canadian delegates,..,a resolution asking the British Government to consider the ex-members ,of. the British Army and -vavy who are pensiqners. and are domiciled in (Jahada, was passed. “We are simply drawing the atten•tion of .the British .Legion to the obvious disabilities under which the ■'lmperial ■ Army and Navy pensioners .in Canada suffered,” stated . BrigadierGeneral A. M. Ross. Under; the present conditions, he Believed it was improbable that the Canadian Government would come to the aid of the men in question.

The resolution cited what it termed “the inadequacy of the British pensions under the Canadian conditions, particularly where the liability had increased to such an extent as to make the men in question wholly or partially unemployable.” It was also urged that final awards be received to compensate for the .subsequent aggravation of the original condition. 'lt was decided that the British Government should be asked to make provision for a Pensions Representative in Canada, so that the Imperial veterans might present their case more easily. - , SOLDIERING FOR THE YOUNG. IDEA OF. ENROLLING THEM. TORONTO, September 4. The question of perpetuating the organisations within the Brit’sh Empire Service. League, was discussed to-day, when a memorandum was submitted by Brigadier-General Alex Ross, of Yorkton, Saskatchewan, for the organisation, of the sons ot members and the training of them in the principles and traditions of sen ice, so as to fit them for possible future membership. Tiiis was adopted. General Ross pointed out that there were still tens of thousands of service men, who had not joined .md it would not be wise to introduce 11011service elements into the League yet. He urged, however, that such training as was suggested might be a great asset in the national life of the •various countries of the Empire, as

iwell as providing .Tor the perpetuation of the 'League. The British and" Australian 'delegates supported the proposal, but Brigadier General J. -S. Wylie, "delegate of South Africa, was unable to support it, since the South African Council had voted against it. General Ross also sponsorod a resolution, urging intensive membership campaigns, with special reference to those men with a capacity of leadership. General L. A. Robb : (Australia) and G. H. Parker (British Legion) supported' the resolution, which was adopted.

BOOS'!' FOR BRITISH FILMS.

Speaking on the resolution, urging a greater use" of British-made films, within the Empire, Major General Sir Frederick Maurice made a charge that the Hollywood- • picture producers were deliberately . producing inferior films in the studios in Britain and exhibiting them as British pictures, ii) order to discredit..;British films. A resolution,. ,\ybich was presented by Sir Percy Lake (Victoria), was adopted, reading as follows:—“That in view of the great ' influence the films have had on the public mind, especially the mind ol the young generation, this Conference urges all its constituent organisations to encourage and promote the exhibition of films made" within the Empire by British producers, and exercise their influence as regards the subject and character of these films, and further support a greater interchange ot British films. :

Added to the resolution was a rider calling, attention to propaganda against British films carried . on’ by Hollywood producers. It ; also urg d the constituent ' organisations to take steps in their respective > countries to persuade theatres to ,' give preference to Empire-produced films. This was, strongly supported by Australian and British • delegates.

. EMPIRE TRADE

The Conference put on record favouring the greatest possible development of Empire, trade, declaring, however, to adopt a suggestion by the Australian delegates that the Governments be requested to provide pi inferential tariffs.

The motion was introduced by Brigadier General Ross and was supported by delegates from all parts of the Empire. The resolution stated “While we cannot, as an organisation, definitely advocate any particular scheme of preference' or other such method the advocacy of which would inevitably entangle us in political controversy yet we. feel warranted in expressing the belief that the fullest development of Empire trade under conditions consistent with the circumstances arid eond.tions prevailing; in the different parts of the Empire would . certainly tend to an improvement of Empire relations.” . The resolution further provided that the Parliaments be requested to pass legislation to compel the distinct marking of ’ all the commodities sold in the Empire with the ' country or origin. Both the Australian delegates, Colonel Mullen and General Robb, urged the Conference'to take a definite stand in favour of tariff, preferences;

In a reply on behalf of the British delegates Sir Frederick Maurice said that there would almost certainly be a general election' in Britain within a few months, at which tariff prefoionce would be a highly controversial issue. General Ross said the' - Canadian Legion were in -a similar jjosjtiou.