THE SECOND DIVISION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9620, 28 March 1917, Page 6

THE SECOND DIVISION

WELLINGTON LEAGUE FORMED TO SA I’KGUAKD INTERESTS OF MEN AND DEPENDENTS. A number of citizens interested in tho formation of a Second Division League in Wellington met in the council chamber of tlie Town Hall last night. Air ,\. .Veiiidt occupied tlie chair, and stated brief! v tho purposes of tlie league. 'J ho promoters had no intention of hump-, ing the Government, Tho main object was to secure a successful issue to the war. They felt .strongly that it was their du.lv to nee that the families find dependents of the Second Division men were provided for properly. The mel ‘ were willing to fight, hut they wanted to make sum their country would do the right thing by their dependents. Mr K, Armstrong moved “That this meeting of Second Division Reservists expresses its loyalty in New. *<•*** land and its determination to assist m every passible way to carry the " r -r ° a victorious conclusion, and that, lor .nis purpose a Second Division League be i^ nv formed iu Wellington and a commit eo elected to draft a constitution and report as early as possible to a furlaer UvrK.Tiii meeting of members, ami to inform such other executive nets as ma.\ be deemed necessary in tlie interest* or the league." The mover said that similar organisations had buou formed in other cent vv*. but there would not- necessarily bo amliation. Tho league owed its onpiu to a fueling that the Second Division men should' act together and bo in a position to put their claims and views before tlie Government. Tlie league would rot concern itself with politic*, it would endoavoiir to help tho Government m carryim'' out tho war successfully, i hey believed tho New Zealand Government had dono very well In carrying out its share of the Avar in difficult conditions. They asked that the children of tho men of the Second Division should be properly provided for. There should bo ro uncertainty about Ibat. The Second Division men were entitled to fool they could fight without having any anxiety ns to Hie future* of\their families. It appeared that the Pensions Board might refuse a pension to a wife and family if the breadwinner died on active service from a disease from "which he had suffered in civil life. That did not seem right. When tho men were passed by the Medical Board the Government should take full responsibility. (Cheers.) Mr Armstrong also criticised tho provision that made it necessary for a man to appeal for exemption before ho could got advantage of tho financial assistance provided by the Governhient. He concluded with a patriotic peroration. Mr D. F. Skinner seconded the motion. He said that if a man were killed or died at the front his wife received a pension of 25s a week. This meant that as soon ae her husband died the wife's allowance was immediately reduced. This did not seem right. The proposed classification according to ago was not a good idea—the classification should be according to The number of dependents. (Hear, hear.) It had been suggested that an office should be opened in town and a secretary appointed He felt the Second Division men would do their dutv equally as well as their single brothers who had gone before them. Mr J. E. Fitzgerald also spoke to 1 lie motion. H© said he. was glad to be able to support the motion, which was calculated to remove some anomalies. The Second Division was not getting hysterical, but were not going to be lulled into a sense of false security by politicians. (Cheers.) It was the realisation of some great improvement in the Defence Act that had galvanised tho Second Division men. The proposed league would not bo restricted to the men of tlie Second Division. While they were ■willing to do all in their power to help in winning the war. they were equally determined to see that they got justice done to themselves and dependents. The administration of tho Act could bo improved in many ways too numerous to mention. (Hear hear, and cheers,) He hoped the league would help to do something towards this end. (Cheers.) The motion was mit and carried, there being a few dissentient voices. Mr Armstrong moved that a committee of fifteen members be sot up. Mr A. Agnew moved and Mr Hector Gray seconded, that those present bo a committee to set up a constitution. The amendment was rejected and Ih© motion carried.

Tho following were elected as the committee:—Messrs K. A. Armstrong. J. F. Atkins, P. Baillie, W. Harvey, A. S. Mitchell, I’-. Plimmer, D. F. Skinner, T. Smith, \V. G. Talbot, 11. Wilson, Brenton-lliile, Robins, Chapman, Howoll mid Knowles-Smith.

A considerable diversity of opinion manifested itself throughout the meeting ns to the procedure. Mr Armstrong came in for soldo criticism, and made some remarks about obstructionists. After some discussion as? to subscription, the conduct of tho meeting and other matters tho meeting was closed with tho singing of '‘God Savo the King."