THE SECOND DIVISIOS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16209, 11 May 1918, Page 9

THE SECOND DIVISIOS.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BOARD

SLR JAMES ALLEN'S DEFENCE-.

(press association telegram.)

AUCKLAND, May 10

Mr C. J. Parr, M.P., to-day sought from the Minister of Defence information regarding assistance to the wives and families of Second Division men. Ho said that owing to so many wives of soldiers having received notice of the withdrawal of allowances, the impression was current that the Financial. Assistance Board was a dead letter.

The Minister said he was surprised to hear sucii a statement. The Board, lie said, was contributing very materially to the assistance of soldiers' dependants. in an interview later Sir James Allen said that the Board treated applicants liberally according to instructions given. It had commenced operations about the time when the allowance to a wife was 7s per week. Subsequently the wife's allowance was increased to 21s per week, and the allowance for a child from 5s 3d to ~s per week. When dealing with an application for assistance, tno Board was taking into account the increased separation allowance. The question had arisen as to what should bo done with those who were granted higher financial assistance because the separation allowance was low. The Board therefore had reviewed earlier cases in order to put everyone on the same footing. Some allowances had been adjusted, but had never been reduced, and an amount equal to the increased separation allowances had been granted. In every case the wives had boon left better off.

Tho Minister said ho had examined several cases himself, and he unhesitatingly declared that the Board had acted fairly. The minimum assistance for a wife was £90, but the Board hfid taken into consideration pre-war circumstances and conditions of living. Some people were better off than others. Some were wives whose husbands received a salary of £500 or £600 a year.' In some of these cases the minimum financial assistance ti?d been raised, Some wives were receiving assistance to the extent of '£130 per year in their own right. AUCKLAND LEAGUE'S ATTITUDE. (TRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, May 10. The executive of the Second Division League carried a resolution affirming that physical fitness should be the sole test of liability for military service. The president was appointed delegate to tho Dominion Conference. He was instructed to use all his influenco for constitutional methods to obtain the ends for which t}ie League' is aiming.

PUBLIC MEETJNG XT PAHIATUA

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)

PAHIATUA, May 10. A large public meeting addressed by tho Mayor and others, unanimously resolved : "That in the opinion of this meeting tho demands of the Second Division League 4ire the least possible minimum which should be paid to married mon, and their dependants." Committees were appointed to consider matters relating to the affairs of district soldiers, and also to assist the men and their dependants to apply for such pay and allowances as they are entitled to.

A general meeting of members cf the Christchurch Second Division League will be held in the Caledonian Hall, Worcester street, on Thursday, at 8 p.m., to elect "officers. Nomipatioyis must handed in by Tuesday pext.