SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3191, 15 September 1917, Page 8

SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

MARRIED MEN'S CLAIMS

ADEQUATE PENSIONS AND ALLOWANCES

Tho executive of the New Zealand Second Division League wailed upon tho Minister of.Finance (Bight Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) last evening, in order lo placo before him claims that had already been submitted to members of Paiv liament and to other members of the Ministry. Messrs. T. M. Wilford (Hutt), D. H. Gulhrie (Orotia), and G. Forbes (Hurunui) accompanied the deputation, and Mr. Wilford explained that the three members constituted a Parliamentary committee set up to keep in touch with the Ministers on behalf of the league.

Mr. R. A. Armstrong stated, that tho delegates of the Icajjup from aO over New Zealand had met in Wellington and formulated bedrock claims with regard to pensions and allowances. These claims had already been placed before other members of tho Ministry, and he did not propose to traverse them again in detail. The league asked that the State should accept full responsibility for a. soldier from the date of his mobilisation. At present a widow was suing tho Defence Department for damages because her husband had been accidentally kiljed while in the Expeditionary Force. .Tile'right to a pension in a case of that kind should bo indisputable. Then the Second Division men required a definite

term of notice before they entered camp. A man. did not know if he would be required to serve until he had been medically examined. There should bo an interval of three months between examination and mobilisation, to allow the man to settle his business and domestic affairs. Tho league hnd asked that the examination should precede the ballot, and had no doubt that this could have been done. But the Defence authorities had delayed, and now the first ballot was imminent. The right to three months' notice should be established in legislative form, and should not be subject to the will of military officers. Then the

leasme asked that the wives and children of the married men should be adequately nrovided for by pensions and allowances. The present separation allowance of Is. a day for a wjfe could only be regarded as an indication that Parliament had not wished married men to enlist. The allowance should be raised to 6s. a day, with Is. Cd. a day for each child, Instead of the present Sd. Injuries and degrees of incapacity should be scheduled and rates of pension fixed by law, so that returned men would not'be at the mercy of a pensions board, however, wellmfcentioned and, indeed, generous it might be. The league, added Mr. Armstrong, represented 120.000 married men of military ago and their dependants. Certain occurrences and certain statement had mado it clear that the Second Division men must watch their own affairs if they were to secure full justice, and they had come to the Finance Minister confident in the fairness of their requests. • Mr. A. L. Monteith explained the leagnes proposals for pension?. Ho emphasised the importance of the pensions being by right, and urged the adoption of the British system of alternative pensions, based upon the pre-war earnings of the soldier. Mr. A. C. Holmes said the league felt that the provisions for pensions and allowances should be made by statute, not by regulation, and that the necessary law should bo placed upon the Statute Book before- the Second Division men wore conscripted. Tho married.' men, who had to make arrangements for the businesses and their families beforo they entered camp, wore, entitled to know definitely what would bo tho position of their dopendauts during thoir iibseneo and in tho event of their death or incapacity. They could not afford 'o le.'ivo theso things to chanco or to military regulation. Tho separation allowances ought to bo fixed by liiitulo, certainly not by regulation. Mr. Wilford: Sir .Tames Allen said this afternoon in tho Houso that v'usionti would be by statute, allowances by regulation. Mr. Holmes said thero would be keen disappointment throughout the country if tho allowances were left io bo fixed by regulation and were not given definite: form by Parliament. Tho Second Division men wantud to do their duty, and they wanted to be ablo to do it villi tlii'ir minds easy about tho welfaro of the <loppmlante they had lo'loavo behind them. Sir Joseph Ward , said that ho was already familiar with the view of tho ieagiio regarding tho matters that had been mentioned, by tho speakers. It had been a. part of his business to exiiinmo tho leaguo's proposals from tho point of viow of how far tho Government could go in those directions. Ho was perfectly Biiro that tho Prime Minister, tho Minister of Defence, and tho other members of the National Government, in cumnuji with himself, wero anxious to go as far as they could. Ho realised fully tho importance of tho claims that wuro being made. He was not in a position to mako any definite statement regarding matters that belonged to tho administrative eirie of the Defenco Minister's- wo.-k. But ho cotikl say that an-effort was being IT ado to have tho proposals of tho Government placed beforo tho country More the Second Division men wero b«i;!uled. it was highly probable that would bo done, and the league would then be able to see for itself how far the Minister had felt justified in going on tho lines tl'at had been suggested. He wnuid rot eay that tho Government could do everything that tho league bad asked, r/.'cn with willing hearts the. Ministers might r.ncl difficulty in meeting s:rae ot /tlio proposals to tho extent that hac been rrgcd But ho could assure tho Second Division men that the Governm-jiit had he will to assist them. The Ministers wero prepared to go a. long way in order to make the position of tho married men ns secure, as strong, and as satisfactory as possible. Tho matters mention*!' by the deputation would bo discussed at a early meeting of the Cabinet, and whell a decision had been reached tho Minister of Defence w.ould bo pure to placo the particulars before the House cl Representatives. Ho hoped that would bo done at an early dato. ~ Sir Joseph Ward added that, ho would not discuss tho details of.tho P"**" 1 * that had been made. Ho could eay 1 tic more than that ho and all the othel Ministers wero strongly favourite to doing all they could Ho would be.glad to discuss with Sir James Allen the ienuesb of tho league that ho scale o allowances for the dependants of soldie » should bo fixed by .statute and not by regulation. That point .would bo discussed very fi'Hy when tho proposals K.ener. ally were beforo Cabinet. The discussion of tho proposals in tho Cabinetroom was wire to occupy a corta I amount of time, and the discusj.on would be from tho point of view that tho man who was going out to fight and was: lexing dependants behind him was ent tied to everything that tho country could do "wilford eaid tho Second Division men were willing to do their duty, and they wanted the Government to do its duty as well. The league had placed rU requests beforo a meeting of fiftv-two members of Parliament, and had mado such an impression upon those members flat they were practically pledged by resolution to do what they could or the league. Ho believed that it would bo in the interests of tho Govermeiit s legislation to arrange a round-table of members and Ministers beioro tueproposals reached tho House, in f.rder that members might express,their views und arrive at a working basis. Sir Joseph Ward said that ho would convey the suggestion to the Primo Min. ister. The deputation could accept hiassurance that there would be nothing in the nature of party about tho steps taken by the Government. The country was whole-hearted in its recognition. of the rights of the men who were going out to fight. The servico the men were rendering could not be placed on a, money - basis at all. QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE MEN'S CLAIMS FOR CONSIDERATION. It was very evident yesterday when question lime arrived in the Houep that members do attach a, great deal of iin-

portanco to the claims of the Second .Division for consideration at the hands of the Uovcrmnout. Notice was given of the following questions:—

Mr. Bollard Utaglan) to ask tho Minister of Defence: Whether, in view of his statement that a pre-ballot medical examination could not be arranged for, ha will bring down an amimdmoui to tue Military Service Act providing that no Itoaervist shall bo called upon to enter camp before the expiry of three months from the date of medical examination? [Note.—lt is absolutely essential that a

Iteservist should have uot less than three months' notice from the day when he definitely knows that he is tit for service, in order that he may arrange his affairs. Such a provision will save a. lot of unnecessary commercial and industrial

disorganisation and domestic suffering. A man can only know definitely that he has to serve alter the medical examination, 'l'his provision will also remove tho necessity of appeals for exteusion of time which otherwise are bound to become a serious hindrance to tho mobilisation of the drafts.]

Mr. Wright (Wellington Suburbs) to ask the Minister of Defence: Whether the Government has taken any ijteps, and, if not, whether steps will lie taken to give effect to the request of the Second Division League "that the State elioukl pay for medical and .denial services for dependants of 6oldiers whilst on active service, and that the Government be urged that arrangements should be made immediately with the British .Medico! Association and New Zealand Trained Nurses' Association to give effect to this resolution"? [Note,—This resolution was the outcome of a conference between a sub-committee of the Second Division League Conference and representatives of the British Medical Association.] Mr. Guthrie (Oroua) to ask the Government: Whether it is the intention to

give effect to the request of the Second Division League "That the Government be urged lo devise some means, consistent with the rights of the mortgagee, whereby tho widow of a. deceased soldier, being the owner of a mortgaged home, shall not be compelled under the terms of the mortgage to sell the home?" Mr. Hudson (Motueka) to ask the Minister of Defence: Whether effect will 'be given to the request of the Second Division League, "That allocated pay and allowances shall not be affected by misconduct of soldier?" [Note.—lt is manifestly unjust that women and children should be deprived of their source of income owing to some military offence committed by the soldier upon whom they

are dependent.] Mr. Scott (Otngo Central) to nsk the Government: Whether they will provide, in bringing forward the amended scale of pensions and allowances, "That agelimits of benefits to children be, males seventeen, unmarried females twenty years," as requested by the recent conference of Second Division reservists?"

Mr. Craigie (Timaru) to ask the Minister of Justice: Whether tho Government will give effect to the request of the Second Division League by bringing down a measure providing that i'O person of military age be permitted to enter New Zealand to take'up positions of i'erence of Second Division reservists?"

Mr. Forbes (Hurunui) to ask the Minister of Defence: Whether the Goverument will accede to the request of tho Second Division League, "That an official sign bo supplied to all men requiring it v.ho are called on active service, for the purpose of displaying on their busjness promises, to show they havo be<«i called up"? Mr. Talbot (Temuka) to ask the Minister of Defence: Whether he will give effect to the request of the Second Division League ''That in each town, where a Military Service 3oard y-ls the State shall provide a legal representative, to conduct the cases of appellants when required before the Military' Service Board freo of cost to such appellants"? [Note.—Tho Stale provides a, representative for tho military side, and it is only right that reservists should have, a similar provision should they require it on appeal.] PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE TRBEE GREAT PRINCIPLES. A. conference of delegates from Iho Provincial Branches of tho Wellington Second Division League was held yesterday, lilr. It. A. Armstrong,. president of tho Wellington League and National I'edoration, presided. I'lio chairman, in extending a welcomo to Iho delegates, outliucd the work done by thu Central lixeculivo, and expressed his firm conviction that tho justice of tho league's proposals would ensure the support of every individual who had the interests of the Dominion at heart. Kcsorvists worn not asking for anything fur themVJhcs, ))»t only Hiat tlioso they had to leave behind were properly piovided for. Tho National Constitution submitted from the Dominion Conference, vus adopted. After discussion the following was adopted as a brief constitution governing Iho activities of tho Provincial League:— "That Ifio business of tho Wellington Provincial League, shall be conducted by conference consisting of one delegate from each • league, to be called together as occasion demands. Tho oxecutivo officers shall bo n president, it vice-president, and hon. secretary." . Tho following provincial officers , wero elected:—President, Mr. 11. A. Armstrong; vice-president, Jlr. H. I l '. Toogood; hon. secretary, Mr. C. 11. Chapman. Mr. T. B. Slipper (Witnganui) waa' elected provincial representative on tho National Consultative Committee. A. number of matters affecting tho provincial organisation of the Iraguo wero discussed, ami it was decided to issue the following manifesto:— "That this Wellington Provincial Conference of Second Division Leagues endorses in detail the decisions of the recent Dominion Conference, and reaffirms tho following three great principles:— "1. That legislation making sidequato provision in regard to pensions and allowances for all soldiers of all ranks aad their dependants as by right, be placed on tho Statute Books before any ballot of Second Division men is held, and that separation allowances for dependants bo decided by Parliament and not by regulation.. "2. That the Stale must take full responsibility for every reservist from the moment he parades for entry into camp, and that tho War Pensions Act be amended to civo effect thereto. "3. lhat the medical examination being the determining factor as lo liability for actual service, and in view of cJio Defense Minister's statement that a iire-ballot examination could not now be provided, an amendment bo made to tho Military Service Act so lhat no reservist can bo ordered into camp before the oxpiry of three months after thu medical examination. "That this conference looks to the Mmbers of Parliament for the various Wellington Provincial Electoral Districts to give their full support to the proposals of the league, and to use all the forms of the House to see. that justice is ('lOno to all soldiers and their dependants." The delegates present expressed tho high appreciation of the work of the Central, Executive, and a voto of thanks To tho chair brought tho proceedings to a close. A deputation proceeded from iho confoience to wait upon Sir Joseph Ward.