THE SECOND DIVISION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16219, 23 May 1918, Page 6

THE SECOND DIVISION.

DOMINION CONFERENCE. irRESS ASSOCIATION- TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, May 22. In 1) is welcomo to tho delegates to the Dominion Conference of tho Second Division League, Mr R. A. Armstrong, the president, said that many members wore faced by two questions:—Their responsibility to the Stato, and their responsibility to their dependants. The leaguc'B objects were to onsure the weli l'aro of tho soldier and his dependants, I and at tho same time loyally to assist tho Government in carrying out tho Dominion's part in tho war. Ho was quite satisfied that through its efforts the Second Division men had gono into camp in better spirits than they would have under tho conditions of 1917. Thus it had assisted in tho matter of moral. Tho conference adopted a Wellington remit regarding the scale of allowances, unaltered, several amendments being rejected. Later the PeatheTston delegates reintroduced their remit regarding reparation allowances in this form: I hat the separation allowances be reconsidered on the following basis: — Mother, if wholly dependant, 30s • guardian of motherless children,' 20seach motherless child, 15s; chronic invalid wife (extra), 10s; chronic invalid child or other dependant (extra), ss; invalid father or invalid brother or sister, if wliollv dependant, 20s; war old age. and widow's civilian pensions ito bo exclusive as concerning the ! above provisions. These proposals were adopted. J l '" following remit was adopted: — lliat the, Government bo asked to direct the Financial Assistance Board to aaont as a principlo tho establishment of a minimum, net income for the wife onv of £2 2s per week (children's allowance extra), clear of Tecurring obligations covered by the financial assistance regulations." (special to "the press." 1 There is no indication in tho proceedings of tho conference of the feecond Division League that the loaguo has any idea of modifying its domands. A delegation from the league is to wait on tho Minister to-morrow, to ropeat the old demands. The Minister will probably havo to give the same answer that he lias always given to these appeals. As tho matter has been considered recently by tho full Cabinet in a manner that was regarded as final at the time, tho reduced Cabinet is not likely to review tho decisions of the full Cabinet. The Minister may, therefore, bo expectod to turn down tho requests of tho league somewhat more decisively than ever before. , There is just a possibility that- if the Mmistor should give a negative ronlv the proceedings at the conference! which will be resumed after tho interview with the Ministor, will be interesting. One of the chances is that there may be something of a split in the league, becauso even at tho conference all tho. delegates are not extremists. AN AD-VERSE MOTION. (press association telegram.) NEW PLYMOUTH, May 22. A meeting of the Returned Soldiers' Association last night passed a resolution expressing disgust with <he nttitudo taken up by a majority of the branches of the Second Division League in asking the Government for further increases in the separation allowance, it being considered that tho demand was mo at unfair and unpatriotic. The meeting looked to tho Govornment to stand firm in the matter.