MILITARY RESERVISTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3093, 25 May 1917, Page 6

MILITARY RESERVISTS

" SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE URGENT QUESTIONS FOR THE GOVERNMENT A meeting of -the Committee of the Wellington Second Division League was held last evening. Mr. l<. A. Anustrous. president, occupied the chair, ami in bruising forward the business of the meeting said that lie thought it necessary to eaj that they were now on thieve of considering in detail a number ot problems whicn were of vital importance to the future of Keservists and Uieir dependants, and, indeed, to the whole 'community. -These . various waiters would be dealt with as found expedient from time to time. He wished aguin to emphasise the loyally of the leaguo and the very real desire of tliu members to assist the Government in carrying out New Zealand's part in (he war. it would, however, be no assistance to the Government if they stood by and saw mistakes being made and hardship; inflicted and ulCercd no word of , criticism or protest. There was oiie great difficulty that had to be overcome and that was the difference between the military and the'-civil points of view. TVhat the military authorities must be brought to realise-was that the prospects <>f a military career held no promise for the civilian who by the necessities of the times was compelled to take service in the Army. On the other hand, the military officials looked for their future to tho military system, and it was only natural that they should find it difficult to realise the importance of the civic aspects of the question of mobilisation. It was at this point that the Government came iu as the connecting link between the military system and the civilian, and it was the duty of the Government, as representing the people, to deal nnnly and fairly with both eidos-pro-viding for the military a sufficiency of men to fulfil our military oblieations and at the same time protecting the Reservist and his dependants by reducing to a minimum the possibilities of hardship and sacrifice. At present the country was mobilising what had been termed, and was in fact, a "citizen army," and .Reservists would not for one moment accept the position that, because they were liable to temporary service as _ soldiers, . liny had to relinquish their rights as citizens, and forego for all time and entirely without compensation the various civil position's they had attained as a result of their industry and good citizenship. None know better then the committee of the league the diffiulues that would face the Government in dealingequitably with all in this matter; but Governments were constantly faced with difficulties, and this was no worse than many others. It was sincerely to be hoped that tho Government would grapple boldly with this problem, and that the Second Division League throughout the Dominion would not be compelled to launch a campaign to secure common

justice. It was (gratifying -to find thnt other societies were now discussing the various matters that had ueen made public by the Second Division league, and if th«y continued to put: forward their requirements in a reasonable spirit it was certain that tVy would secure the support of every thinking member ot +he community. The following resolntions vere carried with instructions to the honorary secretin- to forward fhem to the Minister of Defence :— Classification and Dependants. . } h e league regrets the decision,

indicated by the reply of the Minister of Defence, that in the classification of Second Division Reservists no consideration is to be given to those having dependants other than wife and children solely dependent upon them, and, in view of the numerous appeals that will havo to be lodged in consequence, respectfully urges that, as a concession to the universal spirit of loyalty and willingness to eerve, a special definite object of appeal be created, viz.: Transference to a

later class on the grounds of having aotual dependants other tlian wife and children, so that it may be clearly shown that Reservists are not asking for exemption when in reality they require only a just recognition of their true position in the Reserve. Medical. Examination. That the Wellington Second Division League, having regard to the welfare of tho families of Reservists and the stability of the industrial and . commercial concerns of the country, reaffirms the need for the medical examination of Second Division R-eservists before the ballot, and, having considered the various official objections, respectfully points out to the Minister of Defence that: (a) A man who' ie turned down as militarily unfit to-day on account of real disability could jiardly become militarily fit subsequently." (b) That the reverse case of a man , becoming unfit after having been passed as fit is a different proposition altogether, as at time of ex- , amination he must necessarily be sound from the military standpoint, and will remain equally' sound, probably for years, except by the intervention of accident or the contraction of disease. (c) That without imposing n great deal of extra work on the ■ medical : boards the medical examination of Class A of the Second Division could be taken gradually as from a date to be fixed-'in r.he near future, and so on with the other classes. (d) That as the proportion of unfit men to fit meu hoe been stated to be five to out, it appears to this league to be. a sound principle to do everything possible to avoid disorganising the, normal life of this large majority.' State Responsibility. That the Wellington Second Division League respectfully requests the Government to take the necessary steps to make the medical examination the deciding factor as to the liability of the State in regard to members of the Expeditionary Forces, so that if. a man is passed by the examining medical board as physically fit for service the State shall take full responsibility from, the 'moment of iiis entering camp, and that in the event of his death or disablement by disease or by accident (when on leave included), lie and his dependants shall bo entitled to the same pensions and allowances as if the death or disablement had occurred on active service, or had resulted from his employment as a member of the Expeditionary Fotfceis.

The secretary reported that over 100 jieir members had beeii enrolled durinjj tho past week, and that <i number of sub-branches were in course of formation in country districts. A. letter was received from the Otngo Second Division Lcaprue, suggesting that a conference should he held in- 'Wellington about the time of the assembling of Parliament.