THE SECOND DIVISION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16204, 6 May 1918, Page 8

THE SECOND DIVISION.

ACTION OF OTAGO LEAGUE. (SPECIAL TO "THE I'll ESS.") DUNEDIN, May 4. Tho president of tho Otago Second Division League has forwarded a letter to the president of the New Zeal.ii-d Federated Leagues, Wellington, in which he congratulates the Dominion Executive on the splendid fight it is putting up on behalf of the dependants of New Zealand's lighting men. He assures the parent body tnat the Otago branch will stand solidly by them in this light. Regarding tho president's remarks relative to the threo months' leave for .Second Division reservists, the letter states: "We feel that although we do not trust the New Zealand Government, we certainly, must trust the Imperial Government, and if the executive jb satisfied that tho position in the wSr arena demands the relaxation of this promise, we certainly do not wish to embarrass the Government of New Zealand."*

The following resolution, passed at : i meeting of the Otago Executive, has been sent on to the Dominion Executive: "That the Otago Second Division League Executive, -whilst appreciating the increases allowed by Cabinet, regrets that it cannot accept the same as final, and deplores tho fact that tho increase to reservists' wives' allowances was not granted, and reiterates tho demand for 6s per day for the wives of soldiers (deferred pay to be held by the Government until soldiers have been discharged); :ind considers that the principles on which exemption has been, granted should be re-considered with a view to making physical fitness the sole test for active service. If the Cabinet granted thesa demands many reservists would enter camp at once. A good number are merely waiting to have justice done to their dependants.''

MARSHLAND BRANCH. A meeting of the Marshland branch of the Second Division League -was held on Thursday evening, there being an attendance of nearlv for*y members. Mr D. Goode, president, occupied the chair. Tt was resolved to urge the Canterbury Council to call a meeting of all delegates at an early date for the purpose. of arranging for a deputation to proceed to Wellington to discuss the position of affairs with the National Executive, with a view of prompt action being taken to force the Government to carry out its promise to the S-i'JOEd Division League, failing wh?ch an immediate general election should be demanded to decide the matters in dispute. Several recommendations were made to the Canterbury Council regarding the 'iuestion of financing farmers with mortgages on their properties, the employment of labourers from Australia, and the calling up of sine die men of the First Division. It was considered that the Hon. D. Buddo, M.P., had not fulfilled his promise to do his best in advocating and securing tho demands of the League, and it was decided to ask him to attend a meeting of the Marshland branc.i at an early date.

1 ASHBURTOX. At the public meeting of members of the Second Division League held at Asliburton on Friday night, resolutions were carried unanimously deploring tlie views expressed at the recent Christchurch meeting, and insisting that the allowances asktd for by the_ leagues should be granted in their entirety. It was also decided that the principles on which exemptions have been granted should be reconsidered, with a view to making physical fitness the sole test for active service, and that reservists should be given three months, if possible, before entering camp. PROVISION" FOR SOLDIERS' DEPENDANTS. The Foresters' Hall, Oxford terrace, was filled on Saturday night, when a meeting was held to discuss the best method to bring about sx general election and other matters. Mr R D. Martin was voted to tho chair. He said that there had been much discussion among the citizens lately about various matters, and ho thought it behoved everybody to follow i Mr G. Witty's advice, and "keep cool." The meeting had been called to discuss the formation of an organisation to look after and protect the dependants of Second Division reservists and others who had gono.to the front, or who had to go. They also would discuss the ways and means to bring about a general election (applause), and he knew for a fact that both projects would meet with the support of a great many members of the general public. The National Government had proved itself abortive and a failure, and if they could not bring about a general election, they could at least try to sec whether in Christchurch at .any rate they could do something to make the members who had so long misrepresented them, face the electors. As matters were at present, it would seem a sound business proposition to allow Cabinet to run the country and dism;ss 60 or so members, who now were of little use, and were absolutely under the crack of the party whip. With regird to the crganisatior. of tho Dependants' League*, he thought it essentially a wdmen's work, and thc-y would have to help, for as time went on the men would get fewer. The speaker said that personally he had been accused of disloyalty, but he maintained that he had always stood solidly for the planks of the Second Division League, and that he had never acted in any way disloyally to his country. Mrs R. D. Martin moved: "That we form a society for the protection of the dependants of balloted reservists, and elect an election campaign committee." The movei said that the women of New Zealand had a great power, and that tho time had come for them to combine for their own protection. The impending industrial conscription would prove as serious to the men who were left behind and to their wives and children i.s if these men had gone to the front. What they needed was a Honse composed of men with hearts and feelings as well as good sense.

Tho motion was seconded. Tlio chairman stated that the reference to the election of "an clect'-.n campaign committee' 1 was merely tho election of a committee t-o organise a petition to the Christchureh members. The motion was carried without dissent. The chairman remarked that the Press of the city liad made a great fuss an alleged secret resolution pass- ' ed by the executive of tho Second Division League. He maintained that it : was only those who were in opposition : to that motion who had wished it kept quiet. Those who had voted for the motion were perfectly willing for it to be published. He hoped the Press would acknowledge this fact, and admit that it had made a mistake. It was proposed to form two committees, one of women to—as it was expressed—\'c.o the work," and one of men to net in an Advisory Committee. At this stage it was proposed that' thi remainder of tho meeting should ! be held in committee, and that a report should be furnished to the Press. This wa« carried, and the reporters left the meeting, being requested to do so by the chairman. TRAITORS. TO THE EDITOR OK "TITE TRESS." Sir, —I read your remarks upon the ' Bolsheviks of Christchurch witn a degree of interest, and think they deserve more censure than the heading of the letter. Until the Government issues , that list of aliens which Parliament do i

creed to have made we shall not be safe or know' who is who. Tho antimilitarists and tho aliens seem to be most prominent in the seditious statement's that have got in print under the wing of the ■ Second Division League, and it is high time thev were sorted out, either for gaol or Internment. 1 think tho Germans should be sent out of tho country, and any who are allowed to be in high positions dealt with firmly. Ihere are too many in tho interests of Germany causing disorder of the very worst description, and there may be no peace till they are cleared out. —Yours, etc., BRITISHER.

RIOT AT BARRACKS. TO TUB JSDITOIt OJf "THE i'EKSS." Sir, —The rough element of Christchurch has once more d'lstinguisned itself by ill-timed lawlessness. When our .Empire is almost on its knees and expects all its law-abiding citizens to reader assistance to '"win the war," is it right that certain sections should expect to be spoon-fed at tuo expense of our brothers and friends at the front? How tho "almighty dollar" presses to the front! JVlevhinKs it is not so muck the loss of tho husbands some women deplore, but the loss of money they so often squander in riotous living. When our single men were being sent away leaving aged parents and others behind, little was said, but that they ought to go; but when it comes to married men having to go their wives and selves demur. Is it fair when they have been benefited by those who have gone, jin many instances through increased work P Yet when one reads between the lines there seems to be some political agencies that spell disappointment. This is tho age of notoriety. Tho evidence of ' Monday's meeting savours much of hysteria. Could women not have pleaded with their menfolk in their own homes instead of taking their children to a place where trpuble was expected, and might have ended in personal injury? When wo squander our money in high living then we come to a paternal Government expecting immediate relief, otherwise we won't help to "win tho war." Is it no.t cowardly in the extreme ?_ j Patriotism has been dinged into our ears until it nauseates, especially now when these men refuse to .fill up gaps vacated by our single men. The sacrifices are not all being made by those called up. But I think where the Government lias blundered is in keeping so many in billets here who ought to be at tio front—experts they say!— Yours, etc., R. EERR.