THE SECOND DIVISION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16207, 9 May 1918, Page 6

THE SECOND DIVISION.

SMALL PERCENTAGE OF B iIEN

MEDICALLY FIT.

(SPECIAL TO "THE TRESS.")

"WELLINGTON, May 8

The examination of the B men of the Second Division has been going on for a week now, and so far as can be learned the results are so disappointing from the point of view of the Defence Department as to be really serious. Nothing liko 20 per cent, of the men examined have been passed as medically fit. The exact percentage of fit men obtained is not yet ascertainable, but the authorities admit that it has been low.

It is a fact, in experience, howover, that percentages for a portion of a draft are apt to be misleading. For no reason that can be discovered, there occur days wiien the percentage runs very low on other days when it runs high. The medical people are not ready to say yet what the final results will show. Up to date tho experience has been that tho bulk ot tho juen offering for oxaniination arc, froin a military point of view, old that is to sav, about 35 years of age or upwards. The military d > not like men over 85 years of age.

PUBLIC -MEETING AT TIMART"

(press association telegkaai.)

TIMAIIU, Mav 8 I lie Lyceum Theatre to-night" was packed b ; v an orderly gathering of Second Division Reservists and women MeVJ T ( p Mr --V aiiD S> and 31essr a J. Craigio and J. Anstev \r' S T7 We I 0 a . mon S present, thf c in- 4 r . nis t»ong, president of Ti St ° a L ° a r ue Oration, gave a long address and was frequently applauded. He stated that it was intended to hold a Dominion conference in Wellington on 22nd inst. and ° on the Minister to ask that the requests of the Second Division League should be given effect to. in justice to dependants, and if Ministers said that the proposals were not sound they would be asked to submit a better scheme. The delegation would demand a definite statement nil W °Tu- aci l €pfc no proplauded statement ™s loudly apfoHows 1U m n n Were ?. aßsed ,' in eff ect as (1) Demanding that the Govi should immediately grant tho demands of the League • (2) that tlm SSenS ° f a cond Division i " active service should have enmf ? e nfi a decent living and comfort as was enjoyed by tho wife home 'nwv, t I \,.? lan wh ° stayed at home (3) that whilst a strong feeling existed in favour of a general electJion the meeting urged the Government to adopt the less disturbing course of taking a referendum on the second Division League's requests.