SECOND DIVISION

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 47, 24 August 1917, Page 8

SECOND DIVISION

QUESTION OF OFFICERS.

Various matters of importance were dealt with at the weekly meeting of tho Wellington Second Division League and Acting Central .Executive held last night, and presided over by Mr. R. A. Armstrong.

The Minister of Defence wrote, stating that the question of pre-ballot medical examination was not being neglected. The secretary was instructed to write to the Minister, expressing the dissatisfaction of the league with the indefinite nature of the ■ reply, .■; especially in view of the shortness of time now available and the fact that the request had been standing for some five months past. With reference to the cost of living, it was decided to t forward to each member of the Parliamentary Committee a copy of the resolution on this subject from the league conference. i " . , Mr. H. F. Toogood, ; representing the Wairarapa Leagues, attended for the purpose of. bringing forward a remit on the subject of !'boy officers,"; which had been referred by conference to the tct-. 1 ing executive. .After discussion, the following- motion was carried:—"(l) That the possibility of the officering of the Second Division drafts by juniors, particularly boys drawn from military classes of secondary schools, is looked, upon with strong disfavour by reservists, and that the Minister of Defence be urged to make such necessary provision as will ensure the appointment to these positions of officers of mature age and experience. (2) That, for this purpose, the league suggests the immediate recall of suitable men from; the front, or, failing this, the establishment of special officers' training classes for men of the Second Division who may be prepared to volunteer for entry upon a course of training at once." The formation iof new branches at Lyttelton and Hamilton was announced.