LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 29, 29 October 1917, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

THE SECOND DIVISION

Sir,—Your correspondent, "Artium Bacoalaureus," has made a number of unjustifiable assertions regarding the conduct of the public meeting held on Sunday last under the auspices of tho Second Division League. As chairman of the meeting I wish to 6tato that hia complaint that the meeting was closed down on him is quite unfounded. Hefore closing the meeting I announced my intention of doing so, and asked if anyone had anything further to bring forward. Your correspondent was given every latitude, and this is proved by his own quotations of his questions, which were in effect really speeches, and there was no doubt as to the intention of his,; remarks. The motive that actuated him must be left to his own conscience. So far as Dr. Nowman's remarks wero concerned, tho Second Division League cannot be held responsible for them in, any way, and your correspondent is merely stooping to tho lowest level of debate when he attempts to argue from such misrepresentation.' The Second Division League was first in the field with a united protest against the calling up of nineteen-year-old lads, and it is grossly unfair to those who have given their whole-hearted efforts to bettering the conditions of our soldiers and t\#ir dependants that the unwarranted sneer of your correspondent should be published. So far as Mr. Chapman's remarks were concerned, your correspondent again offends against the rules of common fair play. Mr. Chapman's loyalty and enthusiasm for the cause of the ?o!diers and their dependants is beyond question, and in summing rip the letter of 'Artium Baccalaureus" (Oh, blessed protection of the nom-de-plume) I can only say that it is the most scurrilous and un-Bntisn attaok that it has ever been my duty to comment upon. I would point cut in conclusion that thero was only one dissentient vote at the meeting in question, and that it was not only exercised ngainst reconsideration of allowances, but also against the resolution urging the Government not to slacken in any way New Zealand's part in the war.— lam - et °- D. F. SKINNER, Chairman of Pnblio Meeting called by Second Division League. •Wellington, October 27, 1917. gi r _A correspondent signing himself "Second Division Reservist" says he is pleased to note that you are drawing tho attention of your correspondents to tho difference between the Second Division and the Second Division League: That there is;a difference is to some extent true; but not in the way your correspondent' chortles about. Tho differenco is that the Second Division League is doing all the work and taking all tho knocks and the division as n whole is gotting the benefit. Your correspondent savs that when the leaguo has done its agitation tho men of the division will accept the position in tho same good graces as those who have already dono their bit. I have no doubt they will, and men of tho peculiar superiority and aloofness of your correspondent will also accept the extra allowances that have beon secured by the very agitation he deplores. It is sufficient answer to his contention that the extra amounts would have been provided, anyhow, to point to the fact that wo are in our fourth year of the war, and that during the three years that have gone no solid attempt has been made to improve the conditions until the Second Division League became organised. It is idle for anyone to contend that the league does not represent the Second Division, reservists throughout the Dominion, because we know that properly-constituted branches have been established in every district in tho country. That tho league has aso got tho public behind it is proved by tho resolutions of public meetings that we now being'reported every day in tho Press. The references to Mr. Aimstrong and his little circle'are not in »ood taste. To the president and othei officers of the Second Division League are due the unqualified thanks of every reservist and every soldier of the Dominion Your correspondent says that if the president would exercise moderation "the name of the Second Division would not be quite so muddy as it has become lately." I have jet to learnJlmt its name has become muddy, and it seems to me that the only dirt about is that which is stirred up and thrown by your anonymous correspondents. As a Second Division reservist I wish to record an emphatic protest against the personal attacks and misrepresentations that have lately appeared anonymously in the columns—l am, et °- " ' GEORGE DUNCAN. 11 Grey Street, October 27; 1917.