THE SECOND DIVISION.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVI, Issue 16230, 28 March 1917, Page 3

THE SECOND DIVISION.

Ttf lie Editor of the "Tima'ru Herald." Sir,—l Twiderstaaid from his letter that Mr King's'remarks arc written by him officially aud oil bohalf of the Executive of the .Second Division -League. I have referred, this to two members of the Executive : and have ascertained from them, that no authority lias been given by that body to Mr King to write on behalf of the Executive. Mr King's- remarks therefore convey his own private opinion, which he is entitled to express, hut he has no business to give expression to " -his sentiments in the name of the League. —I am, etc., SECOND DIVISION. To ihe Editor of the Timaru "Herald.'' Sir,—A good deal of commotion is, being caused among the members of \h>> Second Division, of our Reserves. One wonders what all the trouble is about. It seems to me, that while we were anxious to see' the Compulsory Adt brought into force, we are not relishing it now that it is coming right home to ourselves. "Why are we" so suspicious of the "over-age" men. on the executive? There is a saying that tboso who live in glass-houses should not throw stones. Now what right have we to embarrass iche authorities by ask-ing-more pay than the first division men? Are we more effective than they? They were just as important to ihe country _ as we are. Certainly we have our business, or farms, our .homes, our families, and we pay/One price to the youns; single men to-defend them and us. Then, when Ithe need comes for us to go and defend our own, by our own oxxertions and sacrifices, w : o want a large pay. What doe's it mean but just 'tliis, that we are going to place a heavy burden upon our children and our ..children's children in order that w<v may have more just at present? We must remember tha!b this war is going to mean a burden for many years upon all participants, and there will he hard times coming. Our naibriotism is not ivor fcli very much if we are so'ereedy after the money that we -will Ipave as a- burdensome d"bt .upon our children, the finding of the means to -pay off the debt to which we wold put 'the country.—l am, etc., SECOND DIVSION NO. 2.