TOE SECOND DIVISION.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17122, 25 October 1917, Page 2

TOE SECOND DIVISION.

MASTEETON, October 24

At a meeting of Second Division League members last night, the following resolutions were carried: "That this ■meeting1 expresses keen disappointment at the inadequate provision made for the dependents of soldiers by the Government, whose actions will condemn dependents of our fighting 'men to a period of hardship for which there is no necessity whatsoever when tne present prosperity of the Dominion is taken into consideration"; "That this meeting requests the Government to increase t>he separation allowances to soldiers 5 wives to 6s per day, and to children to Is Gd per day, thus enabling them to live decently without the necessity of making application to the Financial Assistance Board, or any other board that may be set. up"; "That this meeting strongly resents the statement of Mr Massey that the Second Division Leagues are not playing the game, and wis'n to express displeasure at the Prime Minister making such a remark, which, in our opinion, is quite unwarranted and uncalled for; further, that we consider t>he action of the League's Executive in placing the claims before individual members of Parliament far more legitiitfate than the holding of caucuses for the purpose of bringing into line the members of Parliament."

NAPIER, October 24

The Second Division League passed a resolution last night urging the Government to reconsider the allowances and pensions, protesting against Mr Massey's statement that the League was not playing the game, and calling on the Premier either to. substantiate or withdraw the assertion. Sir Joseph Ward's statement that the Second Division would have to remain in the Dominion unless it abandoned its demands was also adversely criticised. Mr Vigor Brown's suggested noncombatant tax was approved. The meeting reiterated the resolution that the Second Division should go to the last man and that the Main Body must be relieved at any cost.