SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXIX, Issue 3943, 12 July 1918, Page 2

SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

PUBLIC MEETING.

DELEGATE'S REPORT,

A public meeting convened by the Second Division League was held in the Central Theatre on Monday evening last, and was well attended. The chair was taken by His Worship the Mayor, Mr W. J. Towers, who briefly outlined the nature of the meeting and introduced the speakers, Mr H. Poland, M.P., and Mr W. Marshall. The meeting was opended with the singing of the National Anthem. Mr H. Poland said that as Mr Marshall wag so fully conversant with the latest developments in regard to the Second Division League he proposed to allow Mr Marshall to explain the position and the meeting .would then be in a position to judge for itself the reasonableness or otherwise of the requests made by the married men of this country if called upon to fight. He also expressed his sympathy with the requests of the league. Mr Marshall stated that after conferring in Wellington'with the delegates assembled there from all parts of New Zealand, he was more than ever pleased to have had some small part in connection with the Second Division League movement, and that the delegates were, men o,f various types and of widely different positions; but all. men of high calibre, whom it was an inspiration to be associated with. They were enthused with real objectives in deadly earnest. The objectives which enthused them are aptly set forth in the league's constitution. (1) To demonstrate the loyalty of reservists to His Majesty the King and his Government in New Zealand by assisting in every 1 possible way to carry the-war to a victorious conclusion. (2) To endeavour by constitutional means to,secure adequate provision and pensions for all soldiers and their dependants. These were matters of life and death—indeed, as touching the welfare of their children, more vital to them than life itself. The president, Mr Armstrong, of Wellington, in opening Conference said there were three great problems connected with military service confronting this country. , Firstly: The maintenance of the reinforcements for active service ; secondly : The up-keep of the soldiers' homes ; thirdly: The great problem of repatriation. Now it was a very wise 'and advisable thing to put the reinforce^ ments first. So long as there was a New Zealand division in the field reinforcements must be kept up in order that the sacrifices already made should not be in vain, and the brave fellows now bearing the burden of the day should not lack adequate support. The League is absolutely loyal and prepared to do its duty to the country, and the Empire in. its hour of need. While the League does not resent criticism or opposition, it does protest against the assertions that have been made in several quarters that in bringing forward its demands the League is seeking to make the services of Second Division men so costly that it would be impossible for j the New Zealand Government to send them to the 1 front. This .is a cruel and unjust accusation, and after intimately mixing with the leaders of the league, both in Wellington and Auckland, I say they have never for a moment had any ulterior motive, but they have contributed towards | the national efficiency, in so far as they have endeavoured at all times to assist the Government and have from time to time made valuable suggestions. In reference to the question of the up-keep of the soldiers' homes, Sir James Allen said quite definitely to the deputation that he was desirous that the homes of the soldiers should be maintained. The Government is indeed wise in its desire that the soldiers' homes should be maintained, for in the ultimate * the future strength of the nation will be in direct proportion to the strength and virility df our peoples' homes. But in calling without discrimination all classes of men for military services, any minimum flat rate of pay* could not possibly be made to meet all individual circumstances. The Government early last year set up a soldiers' financial assistance board, which was intended to relieve any case of undue j hardship. I shall refer at length to ! this later, and will leave the matter for the present, but would say that ' the maintenance of the soldiers' homes under the , present system is determined not by the pay which the. soldier receives or the allowance which is meted out to his dependants, so much as by the policy of the Financial Assistance Board.

The other problem concerning the country, viz., the great problem of repatriation, Sir James Allen said this was the greatest problem which confronted New Zealand or aaiy other country to-day, and was not satisfactorily solved in any country, but the Government was giving it consideration, and had collected much information, but so far did not have any definite scheme. „ Sir James indicated that if the Conference would consider the question and bring forward a scheme, he would be very pleased to have it, as it would probably be of some assistance and he would promise to give it careful consideration. By repatriation it is meant the placing of a soldier after his* discharge or demobilisation back into civilian life so as to enble him to discharge his obligations and make sufficient provision for those dependent on him.

Mr Mar*all then referred to the question of the extra 3s a day separation allowance, which is commonly known as a "nest-egg," They tried for this in Wellington as faithful delegates, but very soon found out that Sir James Allen would have none of it, Mr Marshall pointed out that it was impossible under the present rate of separation allowances for the wife to provide anything against her husband's return, jmd the looking forward to that day-was overshadowed by this fact; the granting of the

"nest-egg" would relieve her of this worry and probably save a man when\ he came back from having to take up **% any old job at any old rate of pay on ' a glutted labour market, and the demand for this "nest-egg" is to cover the period between demobilisationand full rehabilitation in civil life, • when it is necessary for him to bring himself back into line. A special committee was set up to consider it, and make a report to submit to the conference. Mr Marshall then read )0t the following extracts from the report ".— - f 1. That the Government adopt the ' principle of extending State responsibility to all soldiers and their dependents from discharge or demobilisation until full rehabilitation in civil life. (Such State responsibility primarily to take the form of a continu- , ance of pay, allowances, and financial assistance as paid to the soldier and his dependants during active service.)

2. That the minimum period of such State responsibility be not less than three months, to be extended where necessary on the recommendations of boards as set out hereundei".

3. That the Government be recommended to create at once a Special Department of Repatriation.

4. That such department proceed without delay to collect information from other countries.

5. That special local boards, consisting of representatives of returned soldiers, Second Division Leagues, farming interests, employers, and Labour-, organisations, be set up under the Department of Repatriation.

6. That the duty of such local boards shall be : (a) To inquire into the circumstances of all returning or discharged men; (b) to recommend extension of period of State responsibility where advisable; (c) to secure the rehabilitation of returned or discharged men as nearly as possible in their pre-war civil positions.

7. That it be a recommendation to the Repatriation Department that a scheme be established to enable returned or discharged men who have had to close down and sell out their businesses when called up for active service, to make a fresh start by granting them financial assistance in the form of loans at a low rate of interest. ' / / -> *

The position now is, that Cabinet is considering this position, and they are waiting to know what is going to „be done. ' s « Mr Marshall mentioned the Returned Soldiers' Conference which consid- ' ered that the League had no- right to discuss this question; but it is-not a. desirable thing that organisations such as the Returned Soldiers' Association and the Second Division League should enter into public controversy. The Association's argument is that they should not consider repatriation until they have been expatriated. But they had been asked by Sir James Allen to consider it," and it certainly affected them, and, being a national matter, if any assembly con-?^^ sidered it and brought down sugges-^^ tion it could only be productive of good. ,

Mr Marshall referred to the'resolution passed at the last meeting in reference to the alien question, "That all aliens be placed on national work at military rates of pay." Sir Jarrfes Allen said that they could not compel them—the most they could do was to call up the aliens and give them the alternative either to take up national work or be interned, but it would be a serious problem if all the aliens elected to be interned. Sir James Allen was hoping to get some information from the Imperial authorities, which would enable them to deal with this question more satisfactorily, but at present they were really doing all that could be done.

Mr Marshall dealt with the punishment of soldiers while on active service, and pointed out the hardships that fell upon the wives when any misdemeanour on the part of the men at the front caused the separation . allowance to be stopped in this coun- JB| try, but Sir James Allen said it was W necessary in order .to maintain discipline this threat should be held over our heads. He submitted that it was absolutely wrong and was a vicious. system. Consideration has been left over, and they were waiting for a reply. The question of Cl men was also dealt with at the conference, and Mr Marshall read out the following requests which they 'had asked the Government to institute: —

(a) Cl men be given one month after medical examination to make any temporary domestic and business arrangements before being, ordered to parade for the physical training camp.

(b) Reservist be given one month's testing in the physical training camp to test his fitness. If he be proved unfit give him his discharge at once.

(c) If the Cl reservist be proved medically fit after the "try out," that^\ he be given two months' leave o£-aj44P sence so that he may return" to his home and make final for his dependants and the disposing of his business preparatory to his going into the reinforcement. Sir James Allen's answer was that the Cl reservist of the Second Division is treated as a fit man and is given three months between medical examination and being called to camp.

These three questions are now receiving careful consideration, and he would be pleased to communicate further with them on this subject at an early date.

Mr Marshall said a committee had been set up to consider their constitutions and certain amendments had been brought down and passed by the Conference, but he would not deal with them, as- the League's annual meeting would take place in a ..fortnight and they would be brought before members then.

Another important question was the question of soldiers' Businesses. He pointed out the hardships incurred in sacrificing a business that had taken years to work up in addition to the hardships ■■of military service, and contended that some effort should be made to avoid it. Mv Marshall read the following proposals dealing with this question made by the Conference :—

1. That the Government recognise the principle of equality of sacrifice by providing, that a proprietor of a business, when called up for active service, should not have to sacrifice his business—goodwill, plant, and stock—in addition to the ordinary hardships of military service.

2. (a) To effect this, when the owner of a financially sound business is called up for active service and is not able to satisfactorily arrange either for the continuance or sale of same, the Government shall immediately proclaim that business, and every business of a,like nature in that town or district, a protected industry.

(b) That a Government controller of soldiers' businesses be appointed for each province.

(c) That if the business of applicant is, on examination by the controller, found not to be of a payable nature, the proprietor and the Government each appoint a valuator and the stocks be sold to the best advantage, any difference between the valuators' average and the amount realised to be made good by the Govern-

ment

3. Prohibit any similar business from being established in the proclaimed district without a permit from the Government controller for the period of the war and 12 months thereafter.

4. Form from the heads of all the businesses in that industry a board of trustees to manage the business of the men called up.

5. That the Government controlled examine the affairs,, books, or balancesheets of these businesses for the previous three years, find out the average proportionate net profit made by each for that period, and instruct the board of trustees that the average net profit made' by .the business of the departing,!, man during that time must be maintained in proportion to the total net profits of the combined businesses during his absence. . v 6. That the trustees control the business for twelve months after the termination of the war, or up to such lcfeser time at which the returned so* diter 5 may elect to resume control. Jl. That in the event of the death of the soldier while on active secvice the control by the trustees be "determined by the executors of deceased. 8. That the value of the goodwill of the business of the departing soldier be assessed, and the valuation of the stock taken at the date of the trustees taking over the soldier's business. In case of the death of the owner the stock be again taken, the goodwill assessed iri proportion to the advance or decline of the total net income of all such businesses, and that the business then, if desired by the executors, be realised, the goodwill paid pro rata by the remaining businesses?, and the stock realised— the Government to make up the difference, if any, between its actual value and its realisation of stock.

9. That the trustees may with the permission of. the Government controller close down such business, and the owner on his return, after taking over his realised capital, may recommence his business and claim the maintenance of his previously determined average profits for a term of two years after his return. •

Another question -was the age limit for children's allowance. This limit in Nt.w Zealand is 16—over 16 no separation allowance. In England for junior officers' children, the limit is 18 for boys and 21 for girls. The Conference asked the Government to extend'the limit here to 18 and 21, but <hty refused to do it.

The Financial Assistance Board has made provision for a grant of £5 as a maternity bonus, and free hospital treatment for soldiers' dependants while'on active service.

Mr Marshall also touched upon the question of insurance for soldiers. Where financial assistance was garnted, the Government had instructed this financial assistance board to pay the premium and war loading vp 1 to £300. If no policy existed then a new one could be taken out for that amount. In America the State insures soldiers going on active service, cutting out all unnecessary expense, and they insure for threequarters per cent., which means a payment of £15 per annum covers a soldier in the United States, including war risk, for £2000.

In refers/big to the policy of the Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board Mr Marshal! repeated that this policy determined the upkeep of soldiers' homes, and stated that when a man' applies for financial assistance, he is required to allocate 3s 6d of his 5s a day to his wife, and he has to manage on Is 6d. This merely means the relieving of the Financial Assistance Board and the placing of the burden on the soldier. The policy of the Financial Assistance Board as expressed by the president of that board and endorsed by Sir James Allen is that of leaving for the "wife only" a net income of £90 a year, that is aftei- her rent, insurance premiums, rates and taxes, instalments on furniture, etc. —after all these recurring obligations are met, there should be

left to the "wife only" £90 per annum. The League wSs strongly of the opinion this was'not sufficient, and asked the Government to increase the assistance to £109 4s, which would give the wife 2 guineas a week, but the Government absolutely refused to budge, i Sir James Allen made it quite clear that whether the £90 per annum, dear of all recurring objigations, will be allowed where children's allowances are drawn depends entirely on tha salary received by the reservists before being called up for active ser^ vice, and quoted a. case where the wife of a "B" Class reservist is left with £94 clear of recurring obligations, which means £4 a year to feed, clothe, and buy schoolbooks for a boy. The League contends that this indicates quite clearly that the Government does not consider the sacred calling of motherhood worthy of the highest encouragement. They were .making strong representations on the matter and would submit various resolutions to this meeting.

The League's reply to Sir James Allen puts the positon very aptly :— "We can only point out that in the case above quoted and in which you are endeavouring to justify the board's action the sum of £23 7s 6d has been extracted from the child's allowance. We would respectfully ask you how you square your reply to us with the statement of Mr Ronaldson, that a child could not be kept on less than 10s 6d a week.

"In view of the foregoing and our own unfortunate experience with representation on the board, the executive is confirmed in its opinion that the members of the board have very little to do with the making of grants other than in accordance with a policy laid down by Government. If Mr Ronaldson's statement of policy was the policy of the board, the soldier's Wife with one child would be provided with a net income of at least £117 7s 6d clear of obligations instead of £94 as in the case quoted and in which you are endeavouring to justify.

'"The executive feels that the Government is working from a wrong basis and contends that the only thing that should be considered is the provision for soldiers' wives and children or other dependants of a reasonable standard of comfort. It is futile to compare the household income of our poorer workers and advance that as a" justification for parsimony in connection with the upkeep of a soldier's home. Under normal conditions the husbands in the lower paid ranks of industrial life have many opportunities of adding to their ordinary pay by overtime and outside employment in the 'evening, but above all there is the advantage of being able to face domestic trials together and the ability to meet contingencies as. they arise. Under military service the soldier is powerless to meet contingencies and changes that affect his home ; therefore the State must- take the place of husband and father, and this duty can be fulfilled only by a generous interpretation of the financial provision necessary for adequate maintenance.

"The executive, therefore, cannot accept your arguments based on the question of civilian income, but as you have on various occasions estimated the total amounts that soldiers receive from the State by inclusion of an estimate of the soldier's keep, the league would point out to you that under the various Arbitration awards where tradesmen are required to live away from home while j working the employer is required to | provide free board and lodging, or pay- an additional amount, which averages £1 a week. The executive contends that the State in calling a man from his home for military duty must accept the common obligation j that is placed upon a civilian employer under similar circumstances; therefore, the addition of 'soldiers' keep' that is constantly being made in official estimates of State provision for soldiers' homes is based on an absolute fallacy." You will readily see that the policy of the Financial Assistance Board is open to serious question and needs drastic review. We submit that it is entirely on a wrong basis. It is the vital point in the provision, and resolutions dealing with it will be submitted to you to-night.

Mr Marshall referred to the question of finding the money, and pointed out instances where it would be no hardship to obtain considerable sums, and yet be quite fair and more than fair to those who would have to pay.

An office was about to be set up in Auckland to deal with any questions which Second Division men would require information upon. The cost of this it was hoped' to meet by subscriptions from men turned down, and to whom it meant considerable finan-

cial gain not to have to go on active service. Paeroa had promised to contribute, and he hoped when men were turned down who would benefit financially in consequence, that they would remember the funds of the organisation which was endeavouring to assist those families who had been called upon to give their breadwinner for

the common weal. For those who were not in a position to contribute, he suggested a working bee to see that the gardens of men called up in the town did not go wild during the men's absence. In conclusion, he appealed to all those who from any cause whatever did not have to go to remember the I wives and children of the men who were guarding the flag for their sakes. The following resolutions were passed:— ■ .'. . , . 1. Proposed by Mr W. Marshall, arid seconded by Mr Gordon Lamb : "That this meeting demands a special investigation by a competent arid unbiased tribunal of all cases dealt with by the Financial Assistance Board since its inception, with a' view to bringing all grants to soldiers' dependants up to such amount as will ensure a reasonable standard of comfort."

2. Proposed by Mr H. Butler, and seconded by Mr Ran-kin : ' That this meeting requests the member for Ohinemuri to join with other Ms.P. in demanding an immediate concession of the League's claim for a (minimum clear income for the soldier's wife of £2 2s a week, with children's allowances extra, or failing this within one month, to demand the immediate convocation of a special session of Parliament to deal with the whole question of the conditions of service."

3. Proposed by Mr Sawyer, and seconded by Mr L. C. Sanderson: "That this meeting demands a special inquiry into the methods of administration of the Financial Assistance Board with a view to determining : (1) Whether the Board is competently staffed for the important work it has to carry out; (2) the ability of one institution sitting" in Wellington to adequately deal with thousands of cases from all parts of New Zealand; (3) the adequacy or otherwise of facilities for enabling soldiers and dependants to obtain first hand information, and make claims and representations for financial assistance."

At the conclusion of the meeting a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to. Mr W. Marshall for his address,' and also to the Mayor for presiding.

The proceedings closed with the singing of the National Anthem. ,

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