THE SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17322, 23 May 1918, Page 4

THE SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

DOMINION CONFERENCE. (Pee United Pbess Association.) WELLINGTON, May 22. A welcome to the delegates to the dominion conference of the Second Division League was given by Mr Armstrong, tho president, who said that .many members were faced by two questions—responsibility to the State and responsibility to their dependents. The league's objects were to ensure the welfare of tho soldier and his de- • pendents and at the some time loyally assist the Government in carrying out the dominion's part in tho war. He was quite satisfied that through their efforts tho Secondi Division men had gone into camp in a better spirit than they should havo done under the condition? of 1917. Thus the league had assisted in the matter of morale. The conference adopted a Wellington remit regarding tho scale of allowances without alteration, several amendments being rejected. Later the Feathereton delegates _ reintroduced their remit regarding separation allowances in this form:—"That separation allowances be reconsidered on tho following basis:—To mother, if wholly dependent, 30s; guardian of motherless children 20s; each motherless child, 15s; chronic invalid wife (extra), 10s; chronic invalid child or other dependent (extra), se: invalid father or invalid brother or sister, if wholly dependent, 20s; brothers and sisters under children's age, if wholly dependent, 10s 6d; war, old-age, and widows' civilian pensions to be exclusive as concerning the above provisions." These proposals were adopted. The following remit was adopted:—"That tho Government be asked to direct tho Financial Assistance Board to adopt as a principle the establishment of a minimum net income for wife only of £2 2s per week (children's allowance extra), clear of recurring obligations coverod by the financial assistance regulations." (Fbou Oub Own Coeeespo*T)»ht.) WELLINGTON, May 22. There is no indication in the proceedings of tho confcrence of the Second Division League that tho league has any idea of modifying its demands. A delegation from, it is to wait on the Minister to-morrow to repeat the same demands, and the Minister will have to give the same answer that ho has always given to these appeals. As the n latter has been considered recently by tho full Cabinet in a manner that was regarded as final at the time, the reduced Cabinet will certainly not review the decisions of tho full Cabinet. Tho Minister may, therefore, bo expected to refuse the requests of tho league somewhat more decisively than ever before. I There is just n possibility that if tho Minister should give a negative reply tho proceedings at the conference, which will be resumed after the interview with the Minister, will be interesting. SEPARATION ALLOWANCE. LEAGUE'S ACTION OPPOSED. . (Pe* United Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH. May 22. A meeting of the Returned Soldiers' Association last night passed a resolution expressing distrust with the attitude taken up by a majority of branches of the Seoond Division League in asking the Government for further increases in the separation allowance. Tho mooting considered this demand most unfair and unpatriotic, and said it looked to the Government to stand firm in the matter.