RE SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 28, 27 October 1917, Page 6

RE SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

Sir,—Having noticed in your paper thai you quote the questions which I put t< the meeting; of the Second Divisior League on Sunday last, I should be glac if you would allow me to correct thf quotations. The two questions which I pat wen based, as you said, as phrases in the executive's pamphlets, and were as follow :- (1) Tho executivo state that the first aim of the league is to "demonstrate th; loyalty of reservists," and "to assist in every possible way to bringing the wai to a victorious conclusion." Does the executive really think that they are "demonstrating its loyalty" and assisting to bring the war to a victorious conciusian by forming associations of the nature of the league and calling meetings which pass resolutions which, when boiled dowii to bare facts, practically amount to saying that the loyalty of tho reservists cannot be counted upon unless the Government produce the much-tallced-of last shilling and hand it over to the league. The second question was based on tho phrase "equality of sacrifice." I askod tho chairman it there was any equality of sacrifice in war timo, and asked l;ia opinion of tho condition of every member of thu British Empire if the JiVoiiok Second Division had I'efused to enter tho arena without the provision which they might have thought adequate. 1 pointed out that tho i'rench soldier, originally drawing 2-id. per diem, now drew <Sd. and no allowance. In regard to this i find that recent alterations make that statement untrue, since separation allowance is now paid, on the scale that a soldier now draws tho munificent sum of Is. Sd. per diem, 7jd. being regimental pay and the balance separation allowance. In view of the horoio sacrifices being made every day by the womenfolk of Franoe, not to speak of the men themselves, does not the executive of that "disinterested" Second Division League feel that they are "not playing the game" ? One worthy gentleman, Dr. Newman, made what I can only call a most deplorable statement. Ho sail that ho had every roason to hope that tho Second Division would not have to go, since there was a possibility of the war ending iu December, and also that there were "boys of 18 it nd 19 who every month would be reselling military ago." Ye gods! And then the committee complain because they uro accused of being chilly round their nether wtrwnilies!

Sri our citizens of (lie future, ami Second Division to bo, lira to befjiuriflced on the altar of matriinoninl sollislmess! Whoro is tho equality of sacrifico hero? To turn to another matter. The seerelary, Mr. Chapman, during liis oration hurled forth 1 onus such a.s these: "conscripts" fin n sneering lone), "forccri into oamp," "sent away apnirißfc their will," "(ho iron heo) of militarism," "<vo rli>-

mand" this and that—all these phrases I've no doubt demonstrate fully the loyal enthusiasm of the spsukc-r.

To conclude, sir, 1 would just suggast to the execiiti.-c Hint when f|ut-siions t-ro put forward in a proper manner limy should l)o unswered likewise. 'J'lio first question referred to above was ignored, tlio second hastily answered, and the meeting closed down on me. Such tactics go a long way to conciliate wavcrers.—l am, etc., AHTIUM BACCALiXJEEUS. Sir,—i. am pleased to note that you are drawing the attention of vow correspondents to the very materia! difference between iiia Second Division and the Second .Division League. When Air. Armstrong and his littlo circle have done grousing and agitating, the men of the Second Division will settio down to hard facts, 'and accept the position in the name good graces as those men who have already done their bit, but as one ot (lifin 1 do object lo these fanatical would-be soldiers claiming all the limelight. ff Air. Armstrong would exercise some of that moderation which he so strenuously preaches in other directions, the name of the Second Division would not be quite so muddy as it lias become lately. The large majority of the KecMid Division are satisfied with what Parliament has done, and are also satislied that it would have been done without i all this unseemly agitation.—l am. etc., SI'X'OND DIVISION RESERVIST.