“Our Best for Peace”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 700, 27 June 1929, Page 9

“Our Best for Peace”

PRINCE TO OLD SOLDIERS World Brotherhood Sought AMERICAN AMBASSADORS TRIBUTE ( United P.A. —By Telegraph Copyright) (Australian attd N.Z. Press Association) • (United Service) Received 9 a.m. LONDON, Wednesday. WE did our best in the war; now let us do our best for world peace., said the Prince of Wales, who presided at the ex-servicemen’s banquet at the Hotel Cecil.

His Royal Highness said King George was disappointed at not being able personally to receive the delegates, who now number 64, compared with 35 two years ago. The Prince then turned to the president of the conference, MajorGeneral Sir Andrew Russell, of New Zealand, and said: “Here is my old friend, Andy Russell. When I visited Wellington Andy fell in with his old comrades and I had the pleasure of shaking hands with him as if he were just a private.” Sir Andrew, in the course of his speech, appealed to all to foster a kindly spirit throughout the world through the ex-servicemen. Earl Jellico.e, president of the British Legion, proposed the toast of the visitors and especially Mr. C. G. Dawes, the new United States Ambassador to Britain. He said Mr. Dawes had performed a great service to America, also to mankind. Ex-servicemen wanted peace, as was manifested by the resolutions passed at their conferences. The Empire ex-servicemen were desirous of linking up with the American Legion. (Cheers.) Mr. Dawes might wield the naval disarmament axe, continued Earl Jellicoe. In so doing he might further hurt his (the speaker’s) brother officers. He was most anxious to impress the fact on the public that though many British naval officers had had their careers cut off there was not a single word of complaint. (Prolonged cheers.) Th,ey silently accepted whatever the leaders of the world deemed best for the peace of the world.” "PRINCE AMONG MEN” Mr. Dawes, who received an ovation, said: “America lias learned to know the Prince of Wales, not only as a Prince, but as a Prince among men. The world peace objective should be uppermost in the public mind. It is furthering the comradeship ideal as opposed to force as an arbiter between the nations. That expresses my

chief instructions from the President. That expresses the Kellogg Pact. (Cheers.) “Your American comrades agree. That sentiment expresses the purpose which ail ex-servicemen endorse, even those who served against us.” BROKEN-DOWN SOLDIERS The Empire Service League today discussed the problems of ex-imperial soldiers resident overseas, who have become incapacitated since migration owing to war injuries. Mr. McCann pointed out that though the Dominions financially assist such cases, they could not be expected to shoulder the whole burden, for which the Imperial Government must ultimately be responsible. It was resolved that the Empire Council make an effort to obtain further funds to relieve such cases. Mr. Simpson, New Zealand, moved that the British Pensions Department cease to capitalise to enable exservicemen to migrate. He declared that many ex-servicemen broke down owing to the rigorous conditions overseas, and were left destitute because of the capitalised pensions. Mr. McCann declared that it was disgraceful that ex-servicemen could not migrate without capitalising their pensions. Sir Andrew Russell pointed out that the consequence of capitalisation was that ex-servicemen evaded the medical examination which they must undergo if they were assisted migrants. The conference also carried resolutions recommending the Imperial Government to abolish the time limit in respect to pensions and establish schemes for educating and caring for war orphans, who ought to be financially assisted until they were 21 years of age. The council was instructed to request the Dominion Governments to give preferences to ex-servicemen.