As Lord Beatty said, the Officers' Association will concern itself
first with promoting the welfare of all who have at any time held a commission in H.M. Forces, and secondly—this is the immediate object--with relieving the distress which is prevalent among ex-officers to-day. It is intended that when the Association is fairly established it shall bring within its scope men of all ranks. The Executive will form four Com- mittees, which will deal respectively N‘ ith employment, housing, families, and disablement. Branches arc to be formed in the Provinces, and also in the Dominions. Lord Haig's justifica- tion of the fact that the Association concerns itself in the first place with officers was excellent. As he pointed out, the majority of ex-officers who now require assistance were promoted from the ranks. Most of them have no private means. Ob- viously, as they were promoted for merit, they deserved from every point of view to be helped first, yet the Government have been more successful in dealing with non-commissioned officers than,with commissioned officers.
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