SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3099, 1 June 1917, Page 6

SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

INFORMATION WANTED ABOUT OUR MAN POWER

AND FORCES AT THE FRONT

The Committee of the Wellington Second Division League met last evening. Mr/ U. A. Armstrong, president was in the chair. The- secretary reported that the Minister of Defence had been awav from Wellington since the league sent forward the resolutions published last week, but doubtless a reply would be received shortly. It was decided to ask the Employers' federation and the Trades Cuuncil to support the' league in its request for a ore-ballot medical examination. .Mr. A. L. Monteith moved the following resolution:—

"That, iu view of the uneasiness of the public miud. created by the fact that no statement has been puDlished by the authorities showing the number of men secured for active service under the system of compulsion, and the total number secured under both systems to date, the league respectfully asks for information on the following points:— 1. What number of men has tint Government promised' the 'Imperial authorities on behalf of New Zealand ? fa) The streugth of main bodies to be maintained in all fields, (b) The number of men for each Reinforcement. •I. ,1s any limit to be placed on the total number of men to be sent from New Zealand? • 3. What is the number of men drawn in the ballots up to the Twenty-ninth Reinforcerneuts:(a)'Titu total number of balloted men reported in camp. (b) The total .number of voluntary recruits reported iu camp since the commencement of the balloting. (c) The total number of men classed as medically unfit, (d) The total uumber classed as fit 1 ' for home service only. (e) The total number exempted as being connected with essential industries. (f) The total number of clergy, lay-preachers, and conscientious objectors exempted. (g) The total number who have received exemption on grounds other than those mentioned above-. (h) The total number of men who have been passed as fit, but have not reported in camp, (i) The total number of men who have failed to respond iu any way to notification. i. What steps have been taken by the authorities to complete tho register of Reservists by insisting oh inclusion of those who have failed to register, and those who have become of military ago since the original compilation. 5. How. many defaulters have been traced and punished by the authorities?

In proposing the resolution Air. Monteith said that the matters referred to were of vital importance to all .Reservists and ■it was the duty of the committee to endeavour to clear up a number of matters that were causifi£ graveuneasiness to a large proportion of the community. There was undoubtedly a general feeling of doubt as to the impartial administration of the Act that should be removed, and that could only be done by the authorities taking the public into their confidence as far as possible. He thought that as members of the. Second Division, who would shortly be colled upon to make many sacrifices, they had a right to know what the exact position was at the present time, and it was with the idea of removing a great deal of doubt and anxiety that he brought forward the resolution. After- a number of other members had supported tho motion it was carried, with instructions to. tho socretarv to forward it to the Minister of Bcfence. -*