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RETURIIED SOLDIERS AlND SAILORS
-'IPERIAL LEAGUE CO'FERENCE.
ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT.
Adelaide, July 15.
The fourth annual congress of sbhe Be
turned Sailors and Soldiers' Imperial League
was begun at North Adelaide to-day. Sena
tor Colonel W. K. Bolton presided. Among
others present were the Director-General of
the Australian Army Reserve (Lieutenant
Colonel Mackey), the acting general secre
tary (Mr. A. P. Martin), and the treasurer
(Mr. E. S. Dunslow). The following dele
gates were present at the opening of the
meeting:-Victoria: Messrs. (. Palmer, S:
Hunter, W. Cull, G. Picton, and J. W.
McKenzie. South Australia: Blackbmrn,
V.C., Chaplain A. 'Teece, M.C., and
Messrs W. D. Price, T. Bowers, and
G. Spry. Queensland: Messrs P. Douglas,
A. Dark, W. IMcNeill, and F. Hutton. 'New
South Wales: Messrs. V. F. Meeks, J. F.
Etde, W Henderson, L. Elliott, and P.
Rushton. Western Australia: Messrs. Cor
boy, M.H.R., and J. Donnelly. Tasmania:
Mr. G. Lee
* The president, in the course of his ad
dress, said that the league had made satis
factory progress during the year. Not
withstanding many difficulties and much dis
couragement in its initial stages, the league
to-day was a powerful Federal organisation,
which stood broad-based 'upon the sure foun
dation of unselfish service to God and coun
try, inspired by the same high senso of na.
tional duty which 'had brought much honour
and glory to Australia on the field of battle.
To maintain those elemental virtues which
had impelled the voluntary national service
given by the men who had gone abroad was
the first duty and primary responsibility of
the congress with regard to the work they
had done, or hoped to do, for their com
rades and dependants. One outstanding
and encouraging fact was the obvious and
universal demand of the people that history,
in Australia at any rate, should not repeat
itself by exhibiting that callous indifference
which had been shown to the men who had
fought the battles of their race in previous
wars. The whole community entertained ten
der and generous concern for the welfare of
the returned men. In its efforts to carry
out the will of the people in this respect, the
Government had initiated comprehensive
schemes of medical treatment, pensions ssds
tenance, vocational training, home building,
and land settlement. It, was hoped that in
the near future the authorities would be
induced to encourage and assist co-operative,
commercial, and industrial undertakings for
the returned men There was little or no
ground for criticism from the league regard.
ing the general outline of government ac.
tivities on behalf of the returned sailors and
soldiers. It had been rather in the method
and means of administration that criticism
had been necessary. With experience as a
guide, and with the assistance of the league,
the authorities might be expected at no dis
tant date to eliminate all reaponable causes
of dissatisfaction. In the bitterness of party
politics, and class consciousness, there was
no place for theo league. He trusted that
the sentiment of true patriotiim upon which
the league was founded# would never le de.
filed by disruptive elements which at pre
sent msnaced society.
Congress unanimously adopted a motion
of condolence with the widow and relatives
of the late general secretary and organiser
(MIr. W. Burns), who died in Melbourne last
April. Representatives of all the States
spoke eulogistically of the work accomplished
by Mr. Burns.
The interstate delegates were welcomed
at dinner at the Commercial Travelle-s'
Club by the executive of the State branck
to-night. Captain Blackburn, who presided,
said the league would either make or break
Australia. It was oompcsed, however, - of
men who would be prepared to put Ans
tralia first always. Its ideal was Australia
for the Australians. and parthiularly toe
men who had fou-ht for her.- Lieut.
Colonel Bolton, repying, said the splendidl
spirit of comradesltip which had been .e
gendered on the ifel! of battle would assist
the league in its work.
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