SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 12, 9 October 1917, Page 6

SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

MEETING AT SEATOUN. An enthusiastic meeting of reservists and sympathisers with the Second Division League movement was held at the Bowling Pavilion, Seatoun, last evening. Mr. H. Richards was elected chairman, and presided over a gathering of some fifty ladies and gentlemen. Mr. B. A. Armstrong, national president of tho league, dealt briefly with the history of the movement, and explained the position as it stood at present regarding pensions and allowances. Tho league executive regretted having to hold .meetings and conferences in order to secure justice for 6oldiersand their dependants, but it seemed inevitable that such a courso had to be followed whenever action through Government and Parliament had to bo secured. It now appeared that the Government was hesitating between the claims of eoldi'exs and their _ dependants and the financial institutions whose very existence depended on the protection the soldier was affording. No one who paused to think would be deceived by tho cry of financial difficulty that was being raised. There were too many evidences on every 6ido of that luxury and indulgence, that donotes prosperity. Tho members'of tho lcnguo had been accused of selfish mo. fives, but he would point, out to critics that the ones who would benefit most by the activities of the league, both directly and in the long run, were the First Division soldiers, both married and single, and their dependants. It gavo the league great pleasure to be able to claim that they had been of assistance to thoso who were already on active service. They had laid th'emselves out to buttle for better conditions for all soldiers, and ■they hoped to carry on the work they had commenced. It was intended to set up committees in each suburban .centre to act as organisations of advice and assistance to Second Division men and dependants of all soldiers in such matters as tho securing of full benefits under the legislation governing military service. Mr. C. H. Chapman, hon. secretary of" the league, stressed tho point that, although people spoke of equality of sucrifice, there could be no degrees of comparison where the loss of human life was concerned. It was sincerely to be hoped that those Second Division inen who for any reason wore not sent away would safeguard the interests of those who'had to go, and see that thoir dependants received proper treatment. % After several questions had been n6ked and answered, Mr. G. S. Amos movea, and Mr. H. Richards seconded:—"That this meeting of Teservists and other residents of Seatoun expresses its firm opinion that the proposals of the Second Division Loaguo in Tegard to pensions and separation allowances constitute an absolute minimum upon which the dependants of soldiers can maintain themselves, and respectfully urges the ISoverument to give effect thereto." The resolution was carried unanimously. Mr. H. J. Wytitt then moved, and Mr. 0. T. Pox seconded, the following resolution, which was carried unanimously :— "That this meeting of electors of Wellington Suburbs and Country Districts Electorate strongly urges the member for the district to givo his full support in Parliament to tho proposals for increas. Ed pensions and separation allowances put forward ,by the Second Division | League, viz.: "{Pensions on death of soldier, widow without children £2 2s. per week, widow with child or children £2 12s. per week; each child, 10s. 6d. per week. Separation allowances: For the wife, Gs. per day; other adults wholl> dependent, Gs. per day; each child, y>. 6d. per day. It was formally resolved to form a Soatoui'i branch of the league, and tilt, following officers were elected:—Chairman, Mr. T. 0. Pox; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr. L. B. Garrett; committee, Messrs. J. G. Reed, J. Lynam, P. R. Baillie, G. Lauchlan, G'. S. Amos, H. J. Wyatt, H. Taylor, G. P. Browne, and VK Berry. After votes of thanks to the chairman and tho delegates from the Central Executive had been carried, the National Anthem was sung, and the meeting concluded with cheers for the boys at the front.