THE SECOND DIVISION

Timaru Herald, Volume CVI, Issue 16230, 28 March 1917, Page 7

THE SECOND DIVISION

MEETING AT TEMUKA. A meeting of men belonging to the Second.Division was held in the Parian Hall, Temuka, on Monday evening, the convenors being Messrs J. Leckie and W. Blyth. His Worship idie Mayor (Mr A. Erew) presided over a, greai> attendance. Before opening the meeting all joined in singing the National Anthem. The Mayor said 'the text of the business was really patriotic The Second Division were out to do their best for their country, and also for themselves. Personally he was over (the age limit, but he would bo pleased to do anything he could for his country. The object of the meeting was to form a League, the idea of which originated in Dunedin. Temuka Second Division men should organise and work into the hands of the Government to help to win the war, and also to provide for their dependent. It was for those present to devise the best way to go about fohis business. Sir W. Blyth in fully explaining the objects of the League, said they mtrac have better provision for their- wives - and children and they must he unannous. Mr'Leckie read several circulars and letters, and a. cop,* of the rules of the Second Division League of DunedinThese set out that the League/ was non-political, and had no anti-war sentiments whatever; it had nothing in view but more liberal provision for;those who are left behind. Mr Leckie moved, and Mr J. Cun-. nard seconded. "That a League o£ the Second Division men of Temuka Deformed." The motion was carried with"-' onto discussion. The election of an executive was then proceeded with, and the following : were elected, with power to add to ftbeir number—T. Sheen, J. Burns, J. Leckie, J. Barry, C. Hollands, W. Blyth, Crowtber (Orari) J. A. Johnston, R. Maddren, C. Greggan W. HBrown. W. Moore (Waitohi), "and T>. Grant. ' /Mr J. Barry moved, "That the boundaries of the district which tins League is to represent be the Temuka Borough and Temuka Road district."' After some discussion this was carried. A vo'te of thanks was' passed to the convenors of the meeting, Messrs Blyth and Leckie. In acknowledging the vote Mr Blyth said it was unnecessary. They were out to do Ich.eir best for their country and their wives and families. There were several subje?ts he intended to bring before the executive that had note been dealt with by other Leagues, and one of the moslD important was venereal disease. It was a most important question, and the men of the Second Division oughfc to take it up and deal with it.

In returning thanks, Mr J. Leekie said they had nil rear! from dnv to da-v of the domes of the German Huns, and said tliat if the Boer war could bo traced to its beginnng. they would find it emanated from the Germans. He also snoke of the clean way the British soldiers had foutrht and conducted themselves in the "Boer "War. He also spoke "f- some length on venereal disease, which had caused such havoc in other countries and soldiers. He held that it was the most important question fchey could deal with. The women of other places had taken up the subject and he thought it quite a proper foiling for the League to help to get it stamped out by some means. In reply to a question Mr "W. Blyth said the executive would draw "up rules, and when they were ready 'thev would be published through the-Press. It was resolved that the executive draw up rules and submit them to a future meetinoa df the League. Avo.te of thanks to the cnair brought an interesting meeting to a close."