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Western Mail, Thursday, 8 August 1929, p. 2
An Unfortunate Utterance.
The cabled report of a speech by a member of the Australian battlefields pilgrimage to the effect that the R.S.L. puts the ex-Imperial man in Australia second to the digger is a gross travesty of the facts and an unfortunate utterance on such a tour.
The "Tommy" in this country gets from the league the same consideration it extends to the digger. He is eligible for membership, and once he joins up has a voice and a vote in all its doings.
Many benefits and privileges have come the way of the ex-Imperial soldier as a result of the efforts of the R.S.L.. That the Commonwealth and State Governments do not extend the provisions of the Repatriation and other Acts to cover ex-service men from home is not a fault with which to whip the league. Indeed, it is not reasonable lo expect that any country of adoption should bear the cost of repatriating the soldiers enlisted by another. Fortunately the ex-Imperial men in this State understand the position. They have their own association, and most of its members are also members of the R.S.L.. some of thom holding responsible positions. That latter fact alone falsifies any contention that they are prejudiced within its ranks.