THE SECOND DIVISION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3175, 28 August 1917, Page 6

THE SECOND DIVISION

CALLING-UP PROBLEMS

VIEWS OF BUSINESS MEN

Eepresentatives of the Wellington Industrial tho New Zealand Employers' Federation, and the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, have considered matters likely to arise out of the calling up of the Second Division, and have laid their views before the Minister of Defence. , The following statement covers their views:— It is recognised that the calling up of the Second Division will be a serious matter to trie business community, and inevitably result in diminution of tho producing capacity of the Dominion. It is further realised .that owing to the •progress of, New Zealand during the last fifteen years,, the business of the Dominion (both, farming and commercial) is largely in the hands of men eligible for Rervico undor the Second Division classification. Members of bodies represented are interested both as Second Division men and employers of Second Division men, anil they are anxious to assist tho Government through their organisations to do everyfliing that will retfnee to the minimum the . difficulties which inevitably will unse. *Ifc is that, if possible, tho Defence Department should expedite tho examination of Second Reservist elates at least one month, and that medical boards should be directed to take into ronsideration (though they should not necessarily follow) any private medical report? from practitioners of recognised standing produced by. reservists at their examination. It is recognised that most men can easily satisfy, themselves whether they nre fit or unfit, and that difficulties will arise chiefly in the doubtful cases. With regard to the latter, employers will be recommended lo at once have them examined by their own medical men, without expense to the Government, so as ■to ascertain their exact position, and enable the men themselves to put theymedical board examining them in full possession of all facts. This would assist in preventing men being sent into camp ivhovwould speedily breakdown, and obviate po'siblo expense to the Government and private loss to the individual in such cases. It has to bo realised that ranny youngbusiness men will be unable to Ret substitutes to carry on their businesses from among men over forty-fivo years of ngc, and th.it they will have to look to Second Division men, possibly in the eamo class as themselves, but who are medically unfit, to carry on their busifor them. Briefly, the view of the executives of tho above associations is that they realise that the Second Division men who «'tre eligible will readily respond, and they are desirous through their organisations of iwsisti"? tho Government to overcome the difficulties which will arise and of reducing to a minimum tho dislocation of business.