SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9789, 12 October 1917, Page 7

SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

meeting at lyall bay. 4 meeting under the auspices of the Second Division League was held at Moore's tea rooms. l*yall Bay, evening. Between forty and dents were present. Sir J. H- Byoer was elected to the chair, and ia °Ping the meeting eaid that all reservists were now coming to realise too good work being done by theleague. lt was absolutely necessary that oranen or ganisatioh should bo formed in eterj district to watch over the interests ot focal soldiers and their dependent*. The 1 work of the league. would continue, b»cause even if adequate allowances fid pensions were secured now, the Almost- inevitable increase in the cost of living would render them inadequate ia the near future. . _ t ilr E. A. Armstrong, president of the leaguef dealt fully with the league s noclk and the conditions goyerning military service. He referred to a statement which the Minister for Detenco was reported to have made in the House to the^effect that “no pensions schcraa eras =ound which did not contain the principle of inducing men Md mM to seek work," and expressed tne hop that such a sentiment, so far as the widowfof soldiers were (found no echo in the hawvs of other members of Parliament. Surely 11 m widows Of those who laid down their lives to keep us all in safety saona not be expected to so round doing washing for those who remained behind \ woman’s most sacred duty was ’homo-building and home-keeping. How were the children to bo properly brought up if the mothers had to go out to woi-k for a living? There were not many married women who could take on skilled work, and it wotild not ibe a happy thought for a reservist that thefo in authority expected his w-ie, whether she was childless or not, to enter the ranks of the lower grades of female labour in the event of his death. He felt =ure the : people of the Dominion would not stand for such a sentiment. Mr C. 11. Chapman, hon. secretary hf the leagne. stressed the necessity for removing all taint of charity from the benefits > provided for soldiers and ibeir dependents. Such benefits should bo treated as a right. They had been gained at a co*t that could not be expressed in words. The local committees that were being set up must see that/every person entitled to daim allowances 'and pensions did so- to the fullest extent and without hesitation. Mr H. P. Weston said that reservists •were quite prepared to do their duty, but they wanted a certain knowledge that proper provision was being made

for their dependents. He moved: That this meeting of reservists and other residents of_ Lyall Bay and Mariinur Istrongiy supports the .proposals . iton separation allowances put forward by the Second Division League, and urges tho Government to give effect thereto, it being the opinion of .'this meetings that the State must,pot.allow the whole sacrifice in ’connection with the war to fall upon onr fighting men and ..their dependents; and, further, that tho deferred pay of soldiers should bo reserved. for them on their return and not used to support their dependents during their absence, and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the member for the* "district'‘with, a request that he. bring the matter before tire Government." Mr J. T. Horn seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mi- A. W. Oroskery said' tho motion! hardly wont far enough. Ho thought it was a fair thing that -they should knftw how their representative in Phriiament stood on the.matter. , .As an elector of the district, ho would,„movc: (“That the member for, the ..district be definitely requested .-to. ...support the league’s proposals and asked to reply* stating his views on the _ question of increased separation''almivaiibeS. . The motion was seconded by Mr G. H. Tanner, and carried unanimously. Mr A. P. Whitehead moved, and Mr G. H. Coleman seconded: “That :t branch of the Second Division League bo formed at Lyall Bay and a. committee set up to act in conjunction 'with the central executive in. assisting' all soldiers and' their dependents to securer the full benefits to which they are 'legally entitled under the several Acts pnd regulations governing military. sorydcs.’' , , , Tib© motion was earned unanimously,and the following officers elected< Chairman, Mr J- H. Ryder; hon.rsecretary, Mr B. Abel; committee, Messrs H P. Weston, A. P- Whitehead, J. Horn, J. Gilbert, A. W. .Croskery, D.MoClyinont, W. Surridgp,. 0~ 11. Coleman. and Q. H. Tanner. Mr J. T. Horn moved a vote of thanks to the central executive of tho league, and said that reservists .throughout the Dominion owed, a ..great,debt of gratitude for tho, work, done..