THE SECOND DIVISION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3134, 12 July 1917, Page 6

THE SECOND DIVISION

Sir,—May I, in reply to your correspondent "Second lieservist/'assure yon that the Wellington Second Division League is perfectly satisfied with its president and recognises that his organising ability has had much to do with the remarkable, success att?nding the league. It can .safely be left to Mr. Armstrong to justify the figures he used to prove the great prosperity accruing to some of New Zealand's population. In arguing that New Zealand was in a position to' easily pay ample separation allowances to the wives and children of reservists called to the colours he indicated the profits accruing to one industry in New Zealand. Record prosperity, in spite of high prices to themselves, is the good fortune of practically all the primary producers and merchants of New Zealand. Without .being unfair to any section, it is quite reasonable that all excess war profits—the difference between profits for several normal years prior to the war and subsequent profits—should be heavily taxed. Very many peoph' now subscribe to the sentiment that these profits, war profits, are blood money. What is wrong with the policy that the first fund to be drawn on to meet the expenditure for adequate allowances to wives of reservists (say, 4s. per day as against the Is. now paid) shall be the war profits? If 45. per cent, tax is' not enough, then a higher tax will have to be imposed. One thing is certain: The men in the Second Division are determined, and have a rapidlygrowing public opinion behind them, that really, adequate payments shall be made for wives and children and pensions to themselves if they return disabled; and seeing the country is so prosperous, and can pay, why should any man be sent unless 'every reasonable provision is made for these purposes? "Second Reservist" may have information of public ■value in this connection. May I suggest ,he uses it through your paper or sends same to Wellington Second Division League? Surely he does not think the war was commenced and is continued in order that those who stay in New Zealand shall enjoy vast war profits, made possible as the result of untold suffering of millions—fighters and non-fighters. The first call on those profits is for the wives and children New Zealand soldiers leave behind.—l am, etc.,-

CHAS, H. CHAPMAN, Hon. Secretary, AVellington Second Division League.