EQUAL SACRIFICE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 4, 29 September 1917, Page 8

EQUAL SACRIFICE

SECOND DIVISION'S VOICE

WHAT THE LEAGUE WANTS AN INTERESTING DEBATE. When the question of discussing the replies of Ministers to the deputation of tho Second Division League was before the Dominion Conference yesterday, Mr. T. Surton moved:— That this meeting of the National Federation of Second Division Leagues of New Zealand urges upon the National Government tho equity and justice of its demands in the matter of allowances and pensions, as placed before Ministers by deputation yesterday, and contends, if cial difficulties stand in the way of granting the demands, that the Government lake immediate. 6teps to put on the Statute Book legislation providing .that no person in New land shall receive a net income of over £500. per annum until tho war ends.' That. this meeting contends , that the strong arm of the law that' can reduce the net income of the - Second - Division soldier, aud Iras power, to lay hands upon him ami . take him away from his wife and children, can with greater justice , deal with the pay of the man who i remains at home in comparative luxury and safety. By such action being taken this meeting of delegates is of opinion that it would be an expression at least, in a small degree, of a willingness lo accept equality of sacrifice—so much flouted, 60 little practised. Tho legislation to apply to "all salaries. ' Further, that this conference respects the position of unfit men (who will not be called ■ upon for active service), who ' are quite prepared to come under the scope' of "tnis resolution, if no other means of raising the required money can be made available. The mover said that they had heard from time to time of equal sacrifice, and there were those who would send the men of the Second Division to. the front, and even benefit from it, rather than make any further sacrifice. There were none in the land who could not, mi , his opinion, bring their living expenses down to £500 a year, and he believed that it was feasible and quite workable. He had put the proposition before squatters and others, and though they could not say he was v not right, they could not agree with hiim Getting to the- Point. Mr. H. F. Toogood gave emphatic support to the motion, which he seconded. He said that at last they were getting to the point-they were on the .pointequality of sacrifice. They did not object to go, but thev wanted to. know they were not to suffer unfairly, and it -was grossly unfair as the arrangement stood at present. (Applause:). I , ■ Clerical Man of War. The Eov. C. F. Tocker said that he was usually a man of peace, but there were times when he felt that ho was a man of war. (Applause.) In his statement to the previous day's deputation the Finance Minister had actually flung down a challenge ns to how the money (for adequate allowances and pensions) was to be got. It was for them to take up the challenge Sir Joseph Ward had flung down. Mr. Campbell gave tho heartiest sup.port to the motion. Tho Gilt-edged Security of Patriotism. Mr. A. E. Lawrence; in supporting the motion, recalled what Sir Joseph .Ward had said, in.getting his last loan: "What was the use of talking of patriotism when they wanted millions?" He was offering as gilt-edged security the. patriotism ot theii* wivos and children. Then Mr. Massey had, in his terrible wrath, told their members that if they were not careful he would send them to the country. Well, let him send them to the country! There had been mention of the possibility of a "slip" by Sir Joseph Ward. The country had been "slipping" ever since the National Government came into power. If they went to the country it would be found that the Second Division would be a power, that would, declare unequivocally that the country could' afford the money for these allowances > and pensions. ~,,,, ~j t Mr ■ A. R. Dawson said that he did not wish 'to make a speech, but the point he wanted to put, aud he claimed no originality for it, was, would those who stayed behind sooner be hit by a high explosive shell or a high income tax?

Real Sacrifice. Mr. S. Clapham said it was ridicnlous to tell them that there was not enough' money for a hare existence for their wives and children, when JIOOO or a year was not too much for the families of those wealthy men who would not be asked to go to the war. They were not trying'to prevent the Government sending them to the war—they were prepared to make any sacrifice-but before they went they wanted to, know that others were going to make some Teal sacrifice. , , , „ Mr. George Dash thought the suggestion was crude to a degree, and he was afraid it would make the conference, a, laughing stock of the Dominion. Mr A. C. Holms (who favoured a drastic graduated land and income tax) moved as an amendment:— : j

That this conference emphatically reaffirms the essential proposals adopted at the first conference, and contends that, apart from the question of justice, the financial resources of this country will not be impaired by the demands made in tho interests of soldiers of all ranks and the liomo life of tho Emprre, the money so required being kept in the Dominion.

Mr. Christensen seconded tho amendment, and in doing so agreed with tho sentiment of the -original motion, but thought it was belter expressed in the amendment. \ Visionary and Utopian, Mr. Stewart was of opinion that the idea was visionary and Utopian, and the effect, if caried to a conclusion, would be to drive capital out of the country, and bring about an economic disaster. Mr. A. Creamer suggested tho setting up of a small committee lo re-draft the motion. He was sure that tho result aimed at could.be achieved, and no meet with tho wishes of all delegates. A committee was named, and agreed to. The Principle of Equality, After tho luncheon adjournment the committee appointed brought down the following motion:— That this conference of the National Federation of New Zealand Second Division Leagues urges emphatically upon the Government the equity and justice of the league's demands in the matter of provision for soldiers and. their dependants, and the application of equality of sacrifice to all sections of the community, and deplores and disagrees with tho Ministerial statements that the nec«ssary taxation will imperil the financial stability of the Dominion, and further! holds that the Government must, in carrying on New Zealand's part in the war, face as a war measure the responsibility of applying the principle of equality, of sacrifice down to the level which that principle demands and circum-. stances render necessary.

On the motion being read, Mr. Buxton signified his approval of the new draft, wFrich, ho snid, really went further than his, and withdrew his own. He moved the motion, which Mr. Holms seconded. It was unanimously carried. The chairman snid that he had never listened to a moro interesting or ably debated discussion than he had listened to that morning. By Constitutional Means. .■ Mr. Buxton then moved, and Sir. Rodgers seconded, and it was decided: "That this meoting.of tho delegates of the Second Division Leagues of New Zenland use its influence in every constitutional way possible . with members of tho various leagues throughout New Zealand to have' effect given to tho demands of the league,".