THE SECOND DIVISION.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15939, 28 June 1917, Page 4

THE SECOND DIVISION.

TO THE EDITOR OF "iHE PHESS." Sir, —It is very evident the president of the Industrial Association has undertaken a stupendous task with a very limited knowledge of the ramifications of largo industries and the relation of labour in the carrying _ on. of same, and, 7t might also bo said, his knowledge (from tho tone of his letter in your papor) is also limited as to tho feeling of the Labour members at present representing the country in our Houso of Representatives. Now, as regards this particular section of tho House, and their attitudo to the carrying on of the most essential industries, they have not up to the present mado public statements of any value -which tho people of the Dominion could consider with any degree of gravoness, or, ho inclined to Bum tip as the fixed platform the Labour Party were prepared to deal •with. _It is therefore doubly difficult to rationally j udgo tho wisdom of tho deliberations of tho Industrial Association president. Our past experience of the attitude of the Labour Party, as a whole, is not (leaving tho extremists out of the question) one to raako any sano man consider that party has not made any great sacrifice over this most disastrous of wars, "but their leaders are not nlways inclined to agree to sacrifices and changcs in the existing labour conditions without grave thought and consideration, and rightly so, for it must be acknowledged every party has » leader or leaders to whom they trust the administration of their affairs. Now the calling up of the Second Division must be the foundation of much trouble, unless tho National Government are prepared and determined to grapple with the question in all itß phases, and cariji it through without fear or favour. No one cap forecast what tho policy of the Promier will be on his return from the Homo Land, and it must be admitted l>y all classes of tho community that as Mr Massey and Sir Joseph have spent such a considerable time at Homo, mixing witil* tlio leading minds of tho world, not enly on military matters, hut matters of the most essential moment, to carry on this war with a "Win War Policy, ' that the honourablo gentlemen must have a definite and fixed policy to place before Parliament on their return, and that policy must embrace all matters not only relating to essential industries and labour, but also 'that most momentous question of the provision for the of those called up in tho Sccond Division, and what part those of us who arc rejected for active service and now on the home service list will play. It would be a standing disgrace to "tho Acting-Prime Minister end his colleagues of tho Right Hon. tho Premier an<l his right-hand man had not they hcon fully advised of all these and other matters of most vital importance during their absence from tho Dominion, and I would therefore advise tho Industrial Association president to ho cautious and not lose sight of that all important fact that it is . quite possible, if not certain, tho Government will take over the control of essential, industries. One most important matter must also not bo lost sight of, the cost of living plays a 1 leading part when it comes to provision by the State ror the dependants of the Sccond Division. —Yours truly. CHAS. BAILEY, Salisbury street. Christchurch.