THE CLAIMS OF THE SECOND DIVISION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 21, 19 October 1917, Page 6

THE CLAIMS OF THE SECOND DIVISION

Sir,—With a great section of the corti- ' inuiuty, especially country dwellers, the morning paper, and perusal thoreof, constitutes the chief recreation of the day, and it goes without saying that its pages aro well scanned, and events, past aid pending, eagerly' rend. And just now as lor much timo past the great anxiety is: How are we as a nation progressing in this great war? Tho query as to wiiat wc in New Zealand are doing to help, and the ways and means, and it is plaiu to us all that tho days of voluntary enlistment, as regards men for active service, aro practicfJly over. So comes before us the great Second ■ Division. Never during tho period of the war have we heard so much trum-pel-blowing-not of what this great secHon of our Army—still in tho embryonic stage—is going to achieve, but of what it is'-going to have, and its wants are too numerous to mention. Whilst reading of their great demands, and subsequent meotings in various places, one cannot fail to be struck with the colossal selfishness of these men, who may, should the ballot and the exigencies of the war deem necessary, have to leave this failland and all it contains, to serve their King. Wiiat of the brave fellows who, though married, vohmteered-went, fought, and fell? They are nowhere when the Second Division hove m eight. . , In reports of meetings can one descry anv recommendation to the Government in'the demands made whereby the married men who volunteered or thoir dcneiirlanU might rectiva consideration? At first one wondered whether or not these great braves did not desire to have all concessions made absolutely to themselves. Not a word docs one Bee

about the nobility of I ho-ic women whose husbands arc absent on active servicein most cases with full consent of the wives—who are tearing the stress of the long, long night of-waiting, of ioneliuess, anxiety, sorrow, striving t., Hold body and soul together on the 'husband's allotment, plus the magnificent separation allowance of Is. per day and Ofi. for each child, ho allowance for children'until June, 1910, and nothing over 16 years of ago, and still liavo not voiced a complaint. Why has not the wife of the volunteer complained? Sir, in tho first instance, she has been modest, rind .because in all great sacrifices woman'* part comes first, and often she points the way for the man to go; and some of our humblest women aro our noblest. Some, things are too priceless to bo bought with gold, and nobility of nature is one, and, apropos, the Second Division is determined that each member shall sell his personal lilierty in the highest market, ana, providing they got all they ask for, will the women whom they leave behind—so free from financial cars —fia.ve no complaints? . For that we must wait and see.

And our Cabinet Ministers! Aro they afraid of these great' warriors-to-be, that they hesitate and retire to reconsider, like naughty schoolboys sent to relearn their lesson aright. The War Pensions Bill has not seemed to trouble the Second Division much in respect of pensions alone. Any woman—but the Dne ju particular —can exist on 30s. a week, and if she wants mora can find ways of helping herself out. But 'tis the allowances that loom so largely. One remembers some comment being made on the volunteer's wife, who sported ''silk stockings and a pretty hat, hut what about the Second Division lady; silk dresses will not be amiss there. Ono writes as the wife of a volunteer, who knows to the full the difficulty in trying to make ends meet during the past three years, and yet has worn silk-stockings. Why not? Should the Second Division demands be granted a silk dress also will soon be available, the difference between Is. and Gs. per day is so great she will be wealthy.

One of our M.P.'s—a woman honours him—suggested in the House that all increased allowances should be made retrospective, and in view of the fact that our husbands and brothers are not to come home on furlough, the suggestion of another member, that a special allowance be made to the.Wives of the men now away, is very good. It would certainly be a small recompense to those men directly concerned. . Does the Second Division recommend any of these things. No! 'Tis self first, and all that's left give to self. It is not retrospective in its views—only "eyes front."

Not one woman who now receives her Is. per day will grumble at two guineas per week—but there is not one who would not have teen satisfied to have her 7s. a week increased to one guinea. The suggested children's allowances of '10s. lid. a week is very reasonable—tut there again has been no complaint. Was that because 7s. was adequate? In many instances married soldiers left sons, who, in tho ordinary course of life, would nave had the benefit of their fathers' influence, discipline, and help in secondary-education, and who went away quite happy in the thought that when, the time came.all would he well, and the way made for the boy's benefit, and one would ask: Has'anything been done in Parliament -this session .with the object of placing these soldiers' sons into good schools at the termination of the primary stage. Not all our volunteer married soldiers were of the tradesman or artisan portion of our citizens, but in some ca6es the home has been broken through the father's absence. The intermediate stage between primary school and commencing work is difficult, and manv mothers would welcome help with her ooy just here. Personally,ono thinks that fhe utmost our Government cangivo to all soldiers and ' their dependants would not be too much, as we all have the instincts of millionaires, which, however, does not avail, without the necessary millions ■ within reach. As the Second Division respectfully mala its demands to the Government, so one respectfully submits one's mild protest, for though popular feeling movaj in circles, yet so far one has not noticted any opposition in your columns to the attitude of tho Second Division, which stands with fists up and s-ays: 'Money for our wives—or look out! This is but a woman's weak effort, but sho ftok up the pen the men laid down. - 1 ""' etC " BAKBAKA JTTN. Sir,-Oue thing has struck mc very often when reading letters, speeches, etc re the Second Division demands from Government for larger allownnces and pensions for their families. In their civil capacities what provision have- they made for their f»toj supposing death suddenly overtook them? So innch is being said about the necesBiVof the men that their families should have the same comforts. as at present, and a general discontent is shown as to the Government's proposals. If a man has.made no will be weir off with what it gets I lonl Government; if he has made provision then it will be better off still, and _l cannot see what there is to grumble- at.I am, etc-., SO LDIEI,