THE SECOND DIVISION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3138, 17 July 1917, Page 7

THE SECOND DIVISION

Sir— Ap a reservist of the Second Division, I. desire to emphatically protest against tho all too prevalent idea that wo aro not prepared to go and do our bharo, now the timo is drawing nigh for the calling up of tho married men. How often does one hear that now their tirao t has come iho married men aro beginning 'to ''squeal/' and cortaiuly if wo are to bo judged by tho actions and utterances ol (ho facond Division League, through their president, \ Mr. D. A. Armstrong, it nliowb us in a very bad light. This gentleman is a past master in Iho art of agitation, his con-nection-with sundry other Jeagues having : givon. • him the run of fho ropes. I t is interesting to recall tho genesis of our local league, bow Iho public' meeting called io consider iho formation turned out a fiasco. Nothing daunted, a" mnnll executive was formed, and having gained the ear oE tho Press, uuliiuited reports of its doings, Ministerial correspondence, etc., etc., continuously appear, until they have become utrongly reminiscent cf the Thrco Tailors of Toolcy Street. It is always "at a meeting oi- tho executive." Now, what proportion of Second Division reservists docs tTiis Icaguo actually represent? Perhaps tlio secretary can snare timo to mako public tho total nieuibership of actual Second Division reservists {not including women or men over age), at tho same timo supplying for com para? tivo purposes the number of Second Division reservists in tho "Wellington area. The great bulk of married men are prepared to talco their places in the lighting ranks at tho saino rato of pay and allowances as tho First Division received. They scorn this sordid bargaining for more • money—and yet iroro money. Tim. patriots of tho first water, viz., our Main Body men ami early inforcements, and they included many married men, did not Mop and bargain as to tlic rate of pay, pensions, etc., but eagerly answered tlio call of duty, and this spirit is not; dead yet. The provision made by t'hoGovernment for pay, separation allowances, payment of rent, insuranco. policies, etc., does, i-.ot, of course, in all cases permit of the same ,stylo and standard, of living as hitherto enjoyed, even in tho past three years of war, but this is a time for sacrifice, and most reservists and their wives realise this, and are quite prepared to do their bitj accordingly. They luimv that compared to what the women of Ttolgiuui. Serbia, Jtumania, Prance, Britain, and other countries have been compelled to endure and suffer, any hardships entailed in New Zealand by the calling up of the Second Division at tho present rato of pay, etc., cannot bo mentioned in the samo breath. Tho apparent reluctance met-with in. pnmo quarters to have tho war interfero in tho slightest with the comfort or stylo of living is a very disquieting and unworthy symptom. The profit* of the farming community makes a good ,popular catchers', and Mr. K. A. Armstrong may be depended on to work it for all ho is worth. The big prices now ruling will not Inst, for over, and times of depression and low prices later on aro not unlikely. . Mr, must eiitolj; bo jbfli&i

put to for an illustration of the alleged ( hardships caused to married men, when i "o instanced in your oclumiis a few days ago tho cuso of a married man in camp (evidently a conscript who married too late) who expressed llio pioua wish that ho hoped to God tho league would secure more pay l'oi- soldiers. His particular grievance was that' in his desire to have his wife and child handy in Wellington it cost him 2os. a week for a suite of two rooms. This natural!/ made a hole in his soldier's pay, and is seriously advanced. l>y llr. Armstrong as a strong 1 reason for inoro pay. Why. the case is ridiculous on tho faco of "it. Is every 1 married soldier to bo paid sufficient to Ifeop his-wife and family in rooms in AVollingtoii while ho is in camp? Of courso it will bo a soro break to leave our wives and children, but it is for their defence, and security that w<! are going forth to help defeat a deadly menace, and rid tho world of a scourge; which, if victorious, would mean untold sorrow, disgrace, and worse t'lian death to those wo leave liehind. Under Iheso circumstances we would fight, 110 matter what tho rate of pay. Whon juy timo comes I liopo to go under precisely tho same conditions as tlio First; Division went. They, too, hud their sacrifices to malee, lo part from mothers, fathers, sistors, loved ones, and wo want no preferential, treatment. What was good enough for Iheni is good cnougli for ns. Wo aro not paupers, without a ponny, and wo will bo proud io utilise our lnird-earned savings to supplsmenfc the Government allowances, should that ho found necessary. Let a message bo sent to our gallant Iroons at Ihe front— "Soldiers of tho First Division, wo saluto you. We of tho Second Division • aro preparing to tako cur places in Iho ranlts. Notwithstanding what you may read of certain politicians and others, who think Now Zealand has douo enough, and that wo should now rotiro and lot; tho Americans do our fighting, it being saTer and more profitable, to grow food 'than light, do, not; lw misled or discouraged. Wo. aro coming to >our support, and will never fail you. "I'lio last: man and tho Inst shilling is no niei'e empty phrase. Wo ere in it. and will be with you. to the end. .1 am, etc., THIETT-SIX. Wellington, July tli, 1017.