SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 127, 29 May 1918, Page 6

SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE.

FOIJLCY CONDEMNED. CRITICISM BY RETURNED SOLDIERS. Strong comment on the methods adopted by the Second Division League were made at the conference of the ■Returned Soldiers' Association yesterday afternoon, when Mr. J. S. Fox (Wellington), in accordance with his notice of motion, moved: "This conference, which represents citizens who have already done their duty to the Empire and the Allies, is of the opinion that the attitude of the Second Division League ie unwarranted, and, furthermore, whilst appreciating the desire of individual members of the Second Division League towards returned soldiers' problems, is ■of the opinion that the Returned Soldiers' Association is the right and legitimate body to deal with the question of repatriation, and resents any interference of 'bodies whose members are still liable for active service." Mr. Hoare (Blenheim) stated that in his opinion the resolution was too scathing. They had to remember that they could not reasonably blame the married man for making what provision he could for hie wife and family while he was away. It was a very strange thing if every Second Division man was unpatriotic and every single man patriotic. These Second Division men were coming •back soon, and would be returned soldiers. He maintained that they should give their tacit consent to the demands of the Second Division League. Mr. Bedford (Gisborne) said there were a great many married men who were not members of the Second Division simply because they did not agree with the demands made. The point seemed to be whether the Second Division League were really endeavouring to make the best possible provision for their family or whether they were enI deavouring to place bo high a value on ; their services that they would not be ! called up. The speaker pointed out that it took a very few men to make a great deal of noise. Mr. Haycock (Palmerston North) paid that as the motion stood they were saving the men of the Second Division were not as good as themselves. With this he could not agree; l«ut if the resolution were made to apply only to a certain portion of the Second Division League, he would support it Mr. Fox said that in his opinion the whole attitude of the Second Division League was to be deplored, and that their actions were not patriotic. Mr. Mailing supported the motion. Mr. Simeon pointed out that up to the 4th Reinforcements 900 married man had enlisted. In England the majority of the married men had gone to the front. This applied also to France and Belgium. It made a married maiVs blood boil, he said, to see the things that had 'been done to women and children by the Huns. He thought the League was nonsense. It seemed to him that these men wanted to live in the country but not to fight for it. Mr. Harper stated that hie strong objection was to the attitude of the league. The Second Division League had done nothing till they themselves were affected. He objected to any action on the part of the Leajrue with regard to repatriation as he considered that to be a matter entirely for the returned soldiers. Another speaker emphasised the necessity of distinguishing between the Second Division and the Second Division League. There were many Second Division men now doing their duty, and altogether opposed to the objects oi the Second Division League. Mr. Batten said the Second Division League had had his attention for some time past. The League stated that they were out to get increased allowances, and when asked if they would make them retrospective they replied that they were going to get their own allowances first. Then they increased their de mands and finally they became very concerned about the question of repatriation with regard to ■which, by the way, they refnscd to confer with the Returned Soldiers' Association. If this question were settled they would find some other objection. The president stated that personally he had not been satisfied with the personnel of the men who were running the Second Division League, and the fact that quite a number of men had withdrawn from it indicated that there was a lack of confidence in it. With regard to repatriation he agreed with every word that Mr. Batten had said.

Mr. Fox agreed to amend his motion to read: "That this conference is strongly of the opinion that the demands of the Second Division League regarding increased allowances are sonable. and. further, that it is the duty of the Returned Soldiers' Association to deal with the question of repatriation of returned men, and that this is not within the province of the Second Division League." This motion was carried.