THE SECOND DIVISION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3126, 3 July 1917, Page 4

THE SECOND DIVISION

It is satisfactory to note that the Minister of Oefence is fully aliyo to the ftnanoial problems which will faco the members of tho Second Division when they are called- on to serve with the Expeditionary Forces abroad. The best method of assuring that the wives and families of tho men called on shall bejadequatcly provided for may be ' open to argument. To make any marked distinction in pay between married and single men may bo found undesirable, and the best method probably will'be by way of allowances to married men and their families. This would enable different classes of cases to be dealt with on _ their merits. The main consideration is that the provision made should be adequate. Every effort should bo exerted to ensure that" the home-life of those .whoso breadwinners are called on to serve shall be disturbed as little as possible: The breakingup of homes and the distribution of families in cheap lodging should be avoided by every possible means. Nothing' could be more prejudicialto the children who are to bo the future citizens of New Zealand than to deprive them of the advantages of a proper home-life with its attendant associations. The maxi-. inutn allowance of £2 a week which is now provided in given' circumstances is insufficient in many cases, and wo believe that Sir James Allen realises this. Exactly what he has in view has yet to bo disclosed, but we trust that he and his colleagues'will approach the matter in a liberal spirit. It is not merely the obligation which the State owes to the members of the Second Division that has to Tie taken into consideration. That obligation is sufficient of itself- to demand that no man shall be allowed to feel that he is leaving his family inadequately provided for in' his absence: But in addition, as a matter of selfinterest and public policy, the State must safeguard its future by making provision for the proper car.e and upbringing of those who will be the men and women of New Zealand in tho days to come.