THE SECOND DIVISION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17529, 12 July 1917, Page 9

THE SECOND DIVISION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, --May I through the medium of vour columns make an appeal to the Second Division to attend the meeting of the Second Division League to be held iu the Chamber of Commerce tonight? Hie time has arrived when we a.ro to go from our wives and children and shed our blood for our Empire and all we hold dear. . . Have the men of the Second Division realised what this means? Have they considered the prospects of their wives and children? Are they prepared to leave them to he provided for by anyone who may feel inclined to, or are they going to rise to the occasion and sec to this job themselves and see to it properly? The time is fast approaching when the question of allowances and pensions will he discussed in Parliament, and once Cabinet has committed, itself to a statement on this matter it will require no end of trouble to bring about alterations; but if we act at. once and place before the House what we consider reasonable requests (for after all we are the ones who ard paying the biggest price) there will be a possibility of getting a “square deal.” It has been suggested that the Second Division League is in the hands of a certain political party and is being organised for some ulterior motive. I give this statement a flat and unqualified denial and ask those who are keeping aloof because of this mistaken ’ idea if they are prepared to pay more attention to this political bogey than they are to the future prospects 1 of their wives and children.

The question as to whether the Second Division should be called on is not one for the league to discuss. M e are prepared to go if wo are needed and it is considered necessary for us to go, but what is our concern and vitally our concern is, What is to become of our dependents? Bo to Second Division men 1 sav, “ Stand together now for our wives and children here at home, as we must stand together in France for Empire and liberty.” If tho Second Division League of New Zealand can show that it has the unanimous support- of Second Division men and their wives throughout New Zealand our requests must receive serious consideration.

Let us go to France or elsewhere feeling that at least: we have done our duty to our loved ones.—l am, etc.. HOME, THEN EMPIRE.