SECOND DIVISION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 15, 12 October 1917, Page 7

SECOND DIVISION

LBA.GUB FORMED AT LYA-IA BAT. A well-attended meeting -of reservists and their wives was held at Moore's Ten. Kooms, Lyall Bay, last evening. Mr. J. H. Byder, wno was elected to the chair, said that the meeting had.been convened so that a committee could bo set up to keep reservists in touuh with the Second Division executive. It was necessary to very carefully watch the interests of our soldiers. The allowances proposed by the Government wore inadequate now, and as tlio cost of living was increasing by leaps and bounds, they ■would bo still more inadequate in the future. Mr. E. A. Armstrong, president of the league, dealt with tho history of the league, and tho provisions made by statute to gOTorn conditions of military service. Beferring to a remark credited to the Minister of Defence to tlio effect that "no pensions scheme ivl|3 sound which did not contain the principle of inducing men and women to seek work," the speaker s.aid ho hoped that some member of the House had challeged Hint sentiment eo far aa the widows of soldiers were concerned. Surely they were not expected to go round washing and. charing for those who remained behind. How were tlio children to bo properly brought up if the mothers had to go out to work for a. living? Such a principle would undermine all that tended to the betterment of future generations. llr. C. H. Chapman urged tho necessity of pressing for tho removal of n' taint of charity bo far as soldiers ■ and dependants wero concerned. There was no doubt that the very effective organisation of tho Second Division Leaguo, had been responsible for sucii bolter provisions as were now being made. Mr. H. P. Weston said that all that reservists wanted was .a certain knowledge that. their dependants would ( be properly provided for. He moved: "That this meeting of reservists and ether residents of Lyall Bay. and Maranui strongly supports the proposals for separation allowances put forward by fho Second Division League, and u.rge3 the Government to give effect thereto, it being the opinion of this meeting that the State must not allow the whole sacrifice in connection with the war to fall upon our fighting men and their dependants, and, further, that the deferred pay : of soldiers should bo reserved for them on their return, v and not used to support their dependants during their absence, and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the member for the. district, -with a request that he bring the matter before the Government." The motion was seconded by Mr. J. T. Horn and carried unanimously. Mr. A. W.. Ci-oskery said he thought it necessary to go further than tho resolution just carried. He moved, "That tho member for the district.be definitely requested to support tho league's proposals, and asked to reply stating hie views on the question of increased separation allowances." Tho motion was seconded by Mr. G. H. Tanner aud carried ■unanimously. On the motion of Mr. A. P. Whitehead, seconded by Mr. G. H. Coleman, it was unanimously reeolved: ."That a. branch of the Second Division League be formed at Lyall Bay, and a committee set up to act in conjunction with the Central Executive in assisting all soldiers and their dependants to secure the full benefits to which they are legally ontitled undor the several Acts and regulations governing military service." The following officers were elected :— Chairman, 'Mr. J. H. Ryder; lion, secretary, Mr. B. Abel; committee, Messrs. H. P. Weston, A. P. Whitehead, .1. T. Horn, .1. Gilbert, A. W. Croskery, D. M'Clymont, W. Surridge, G. H. Coleman, anil G. H. Tanner. Mr. J. T. Horn, in moving a vote cf thanks to the representatives of the Central Executive/said that reservists owed a deep debt of gratitude to those who had carried on the work of the league. The meeting was brought to a close by singing the National Anthem.