SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14637, 21 June 1918, Page 8

SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE.

, The annual meeting of tho Second Division League was held last night, Mr. J. Wauchop presiding over an attendance of about 50 members. The annual report stated : The mem- • bevsbip now stands at 373. Your executive would urge upon members the necessity of enrolling all persons eligible as members of the league, and the need for every member enrolling his wife in order that our wives may be united to look after their own and children's interests while ..{their ..husbands* an> away ,oijt- service. ;V .;T<tae r:fel^Tlcj?-Bhe'efc^ ?)?*\ ws 6kl, leaviiig, a balanie/bf Bs '6d.' This,' considering tho heavy, -expenditure for advertising- and delegate's expenses to three conferences of the league in Wellington, is a very satisfactory position. Although the Government has not been able so far to see- its way to concede to tlie full the demands of the Second Division League, youi* executive feels that every member has reason for satisfaction! that so much has been accomplished. The position now is such that, if * tho Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board • gives • fair treatment to the applications made by soldiers' dependents for assistance, and the Government makes a reasonable attempt to tackle the question of the ever-increasing cost of living, members of the league may leave New Zealand -with the knowledge that . fairly reasonable arrangements have been made for those they leave behind. ■

The chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and bnlanoe-sheet, said that with such a small subscription it was difficult to meet - their obligations, and do all that was necessary. It was a matter of regret that they did not have more than 300 members. There wer» some people who thought those who formed the league were unpatriotic^ Thi& hid never been his conception of a member of the league. Tho nurpose of the league was to obtain improved conditions for the wives .and families of Second Division men on active service. Before the foundation of the league- there was no suggestion of increased pay for married men, but now these allowances had been obtained. There was still a great necessity that the league be kept going. Mr. Doherty seconded the motion. Discussion took place during the election of officers on the action of a member who went to the conference at Wellington and on returning was stated to have indicated that thb league had fallen asleep. The member was criticised, and the matter was then permitted to drop. The election of officers resulted : — i President, Mr. J. Wauchop (re-elected) ; I secretary, Mr. Tweed 1 (re-elected) ; treasurer, Mr. W. J. Sinclair (re-elected) ; auditor, Mr. Baldrey ; committee, Messrs. L. Doherty, J. *O, E. Turner, O. Baylies, P. Armstrong; Evans, Knsor, G. Hampton, K.. Nasmith, junr., T. Richards, Samson, Bringham, S. Dean, A. Poole, H. J. Grieve, and Forrest. „ On the motion of Mf. Ensor, it was decided that the executive appoint a delegate for the conference from tinio to time as required. Mr. Gilchrist, delegate to the Dominion conference, presented a lengthy report on the doings <>f the conference in respect to certain 1 remits and other matters concerning Second Division men. ■ On the . motion of Mr. Sinclair, seconded by Mr. Richards, a hearty vote of thanks .was passed to Mr. Gilchrist for the able manner in which he had represented the league and his instiructive report. Mr. Richards moved that in view of the action taken by the . Wellington Education Board in appealing on behalf of school teachers, the Hawke's Bay Board be recommended to take similar action. — Carried. . .

Mr. Richards moved that it be a recommendation to the executive to call a public meeting as early as possible to create further interest nl the league. —The chairman assured the meeting that this would be done. It was resolved that the league approach, members of Parliament witli a view to obtaining a declaration in favor of 6s a day allowance for the wives of Second men.