SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 171, 17 July 1918, Page 2

SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE.

mi . CRITICISM. BY SIR JAMES ALLEN.

(United Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, July 16

Referring to the Second Division league's annual report, Sir James ; Allen said: "My attention has been drawn to a statement which is being, published, apparently Ibroadcast, by the Second Division League, in its- first annual report, of concessions, and benefits which have been granted to 'soldiery and their dependents. The purpose of She publication is evidently to give an impression to the public that the whole of these concessions and benefits are solely due to the persistent agitation and pressure of the Second Division League. The method, adopted by the .jP.ague has Jbee'ii simple. The executiv. appears to have taken the original conditions with respect to soldiers and 'heir dependents, and compared them, with tnose now in existence, and has assumed that the difference is largely due to the work of the League. This assumption altogether■ eliminates; members of Parliament individually and collectively, the Returned 3oldie¥S'_ Association, the National Efficiency Board, the administrative heads of the Defence Department, and the large army of patriotic citizens throughout New Zealand who are continually! suggesting improvements for the benefit of our solctiers and their dependentsWhile I have no desire to discount the actual .work that has- been accomplished bv the league, I think it necessary to point put that it has not a. monopoly of initiative in these matters, nor a •nonbpoly of good-will towards soldiers and their dependents."