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The Canadian Legion, B.E.S.L. ' The'Aims, Organization and Achievements of the Organization Which Is Holding the I Fifth Annual Convention of Its Ontario Provincial Command i in Oshawa This Week. . one of the paramount thoughts in je minds of all delegates to a Le- convention must be pride in organization which 'he repre- One cannot attend conven- ons "without being given a new vi- of what Tn is, what it ds for, and what it has accom- d The Canadian Legion forth as unique among the ice organizations of Canada, as reatest service club in the Do- with over 1000 branches and ries, established in every pro- IC and with nearly 300 branches d auxiliaries in the province of ntario. For an organization which ot yet six years old, this growth % remarkable, and testifies to the spirit of unity and comradeship, new ideals of service for coun- and comrades, which sprang in- | being when the Canaan Legion born of the travail of a group of yrmer veteran organizations which ged their identity into the one 5 united body of service men women of Canada. Canadian Legion of the Bri- Empire Service League came existence in 1925 following an io to the war veterans of Can- by the revered Grand President _ the British Empire Service Lea- ge, the late Field Marshal Earl faig. The majority of the then ex- iting national and local organhiza- ons responded to this appeal, sur- sndered their charters, and united I fieir forces to become the Canadian | fesion. The new oreanization was ded on strong principles. i ocratic and Non-Sectarian The Canadian Legion of the Bri- ish Empire Service League at once | pk its stand as a democratic and pn-sectarian organization, com- hsed of those who have served {Banada and the Empire in any of fhe armed or auxiliary forces. It stands for loyalty to the crown, lanada and the Empire, the main- nce of the foundation principles 'the British constitution, for the ¢ elopment of a national and unit- il spirit, and for the fostering of fendship and goodwill as between ions. t stands for a strong and united pmradeship, perpetuating the spirit common service in a common e in days of war. It stands for perpetuation of the memory of en comrades, and the care and Fotection of their dependents. Grows in Influence with these ideals before it, tke nadian Legion has grown in num- ers, in power and influence, until stands today as the authoritative dice of the war veterans of Can- 4: in dealing with governments -- minion, provincial and municipal nd is accepted by them, and by people of Canada at large, as ich, Its growth in strength to an pganization which covers the whole inion, with strong and virile pganizdtions in every province, has laced it in a position of being able accomplish much for the benefit of service men and women, and for the dependents of the fallen and the disabled. It would take far more space than is available in this review to enum- erate the achievements of the Le- gion, By the vigorous yet sane and equitable drafting of legislative re- quirements, the Legion has secured for the veterans of Canada and their dependents the finest pension legislation of any country in the British Empire, and has secured pension, treatment, employment and educational benefits that have af- fected and assisted practically every veteran in Canada. It is equally at- tentive to the interests of the Im- perial as well as the veterans of the Canadian forces. Much to Offer The Canadian Legion has much to offer to those who are eligible for membership within its ranks. It offers an intimate association and fellowship with comrades of active service days, and the desire for these associations is growing strong- er with the passing years. It offers to the individual member an op- portunity to express his views on matters of local, provincial, national and Empire concern, for the policy of the Legion is de- veloped from the opinions of its individual members. It places at his disposal expert advice and assistance on all problems of pen- sion, treatment, pay and allowances, civil service employment, and all matters relating to war service. The Legion maiptains service bureaux in all its provincial commands, with a central 'service bureau at Domin- ion headquarters in Ottawa. The Ontario Provincial Command has its central service bureau at To- ronto, in the provincial headquar- ters office, with other bureaux at Windsor and London to take care of the problems of veterans of these areas, The Legion gives an oppor- tunity to serve fellow-comrades who are in need, and the dependents of those comrades who lie in Flanders Fields, to have a part in upholding the good name of war veterans as a group, and in helping to build up in this Dominion a country werthy of the sacrifices of those who gave their lives for it. Fortunate in Leadership The Legion has been fortunate in the calibre of its leadership. At the beginning, one of the greatest work- ers for unity was General Sir Rich- ard Turner, V.C,;, who, after bring- ing the Legion into being, quietly slipped into the background as a worker, but refused the honors which were offered to him, Lt.-Gen. Sir Percy Lake, the first president, gave sound and wise leadership in his term of office. He was succeed- ed by General Sir Arthur Currie, the former commander of the Can- adian_ Corps, as Dominion president, and General Currie, in spite of his impaired health, rendered invaluable service in fighting the cause of the disabled and the widows and chil- dren for more equitable pensions treatment. His was the voice which challenged the Legion to action at the Regina convention in November, 1929, and which drew behind the Legion the support of the wholc people of Canada in its fight for pension legislation amendments, LaFleche as President Following General Currie came Lt.-Col. L. R. LaFleche, who had from the beginning been the driv- ing and directing force behind the Legion's work at headquarters. Now he has been succeeded by Major } S. Roper, of Halifax, NS, also onc of the original officers cf the Le- gion, and a man whose sane coun- sel has been valued in the work of the Dominion Executive. As his second-in-comamnd he has an able officer in Brig.-Gen. Alex Ross, of Saskatchewan, one who has fought untiringly for keeping the Legion's policies up to a high standard, and who has made a wonderful contribu- tion to Legion progress in the west These, and many others of distinc- tion and eminence in the military and civilian life of Canada have played a large part in bringing the Legion up to the place where it stands today, unchallenged as the! one organization which is truly re- presentative of the war veterans of this country. Ceaseless Vigilance The watchword of the Legion in these days is one of ceaseless vigi- lance, of untiring watchfulness over the rights and privileges which have been granted to the service men and women of Canada by successive par- liaments, This is a task which calls for the Highest qualities of patience and forbearance, for one false move might mean the wrecking of the whole : structure which = has been built-up. In 1928 and again in 1930, the soundness of the Legion's policy was demonstrated by the results achieved in new legislation. This year, further success was achieved by the efforts of the Dominion Exe- cutive Council. Further watchful- ness is essential, and the present policy of keeping a close watch on the working of the present pension legislation, with a view to finding out its weak spots, and seeking to have them strengthened when the onnortune moment arrives, will, in time, work out as Legion. policies have in the past,--~to the ultimate benefit of the great mass of those who are looking to the Legion as their only hope for justice and a square deal. So again let us say that every member of the Legion has cause to be proud of his organization, and can wear his badge knowing it to be an honorable emblem, not only of service already rendered to country and Empire, is being continued now, and during the years to come, but to a service which, Who was the first Dominion President of the Canadian Legion after its Organization, and gave inspiring leadership until succeeded by Gen- LT.-GENERAL SIR PERCY LAKE eral Sir Arthur Currie at the St. John Convention in 1928. LEGION STANDS FOR LOYALTY T0 | BRITISH EMPIRE What It Offers to Those |; Who Make Up Its Membership The Canadian Legion of the Bri- tish Empire Scrvice League is a de- mocratic and non-sectarian organi- zation comprised of those who have served Canada and the Empire in any of the armed or auxiliary forces, It stands for loyalty to the Crown, Canada and the Empire, the main- tenance of the foundation principals of the British constitution, for the development of a national and unit- ed spirit, for the fostering of friend- ship and good-will as between the nations, It stands for a strong and united | comradeship perpetuating the spirit | of a common service in a common | cause in days of war. It stands for the perpetuation of the memory of fallen comrades, and) for care and protection of their de-1 pendents, The Canadian Legion of the Brit- | employment cd to war im ins ish Empire Service League came in- [ to existence in 1925 following ar Sppe al to war veterans in Canada rom the late revered Grand Presi- | on of the British Empire Service | League, Field Marshal Earl Haig. | Several existing national and local veterans' lot, and the Canadian Legion today has some 900 local branches and a fast-growing membership. The Canadian Legion stands. tc day as the authoritative voice war veterans in dealing with g ernments--Dominion, provincial | municipal--and is accepted by them | as such. Jy the vigorous yet drafting and presentation of legis- lative requirements the Le secured pension, treatment, employ- ment and educational benefits th: have effected and assumed practical ly every veteran in Canada equally attentive to the interests of veterans of the Canadian forces. on has Imperial as well as | |} The Canadian Legion offers veteran: Intimate associ 1 t comrades of active ice days; an | opportunity to express himsclf® on | matters of local, provincial, national | and Empire concern--the policy of the Legion is developed fron opinions of its individual mem organization cast in their | Drat equitable i 7 expert adv problems mreaun at narters ir nmand ncial bu Flanders Field; a part in a : one's right to the a goo bers: Activ 1 ending sca of tl "United { Fan." The bene rm workers are in constant de- Osh a sincere des f overs I commands with a central The Legi ice and assistance on all of pension, treatment, and all matters relat- service, The Legion service bureaux in all its the Dominion Head- 1 Ottawa. The Ontario has a service burcau at Headquarters, with recaux at London and offers a chance to and to the depend- good comrades who name of war the means of name of od citizen and a true pat- the good S a group; ion expects of its mem- ¢ support in its never- rch for justice on behalf ho served and suffered-- Stand, Divided We fit of the abilities of each ing the necessry work by every live branch nmittees, as well as for THE BETTY CAKE SHOP 20 King St. West Welcomes the Legion Convention You Must Try Our Canadian Legion SPECIAL DINNEP, at 4 Qe Your visit to Oshawa will be more pleasant if you dine daily at the enjoyable and THE BETTY CAKE SHOP 20 King St. West awa Branch members ex- welcome to their rom all over Ontario and cas, W.J.SARGANT COAL DEALER Welcomes the Delegates to the Legion Convention The warmth of cur welcome is equalled only by the warmth on the coldest days of winter, of the Oshawa homes that are heated by best quality coal bought from W. J. SARGANT COAL DEALER 87 Bloor Street East , Phone 193 OFFATT MOTOR SALES McLaughlin-Buick and Pontiac Sales and Service nadian Legion Convention May your convention stay in Oshawa be pleasant and profitable, and if ex- _ Pert car service on your automobile is required to make it it so, we will deem Don't Let Car Trouble Trouble You BUT CALL i, OFFATT MOTOR SALES Simcoe Street North EXTENDS A CORDIAL WELCOME =~ TO THE -- it a pleasure to serve you. errebpip aN GOODWILL GUARANTEED USED CARS Phone 915 Welcome to the Legion Delegates The Ontario Shore Gas Co. and Canadian Fuels Limited A Canadian Company, Serving Canadians is proud to join you in welcoming to the City of Oshawa the annual' Ontario Provincial Convention of Canada's greatest service organizas tion, The Canadian Legion. Like the Legion, our motto is "We Prosper as We Serve" May the deliberationsiof your convention be founded on the great principle that what is best for Canada as & whole is best for every, Canadian Citizen. We bid you welcome, and trust your days spent in Oshawa may be both pleasant and profitable. Ontario Shore Gas Co., Ltd. and Canadian Fuels Limited 67 Simcoe St. North J. T. MILNER, Vice-President and General Manager. Phone 3300 I EE Ga