SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 68, 13 December 1917, Page 6

SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

— -$ BRANCH FORMED AT PETONE. A meeting of Second Division Reservists was held in the Council.Chambers, Petone, last evening, Mr. J. W. M'Ewan, Mayor, presiding. In opening the meeting the chairman said he had very carefully watched the formation and progress of the Second Division League. He fully supported theii objects, and was sorry to have to say that the league's proposals had not been proporly met by the Government. /The provisions made did not mean a square deal for the married reservists, alth<)ugh as a result of the work of the league considerable improvement had been made in the conditions of service. :It was absolutely necessary foi reservists to keep organised so that a square deal could be secured next session. So far as he could judge the attitude of the Government all along the lino had been that they preferred being pushed into doing the right tiling rather than tako the initiative in any matter! This was a pitiable state 01 affairs. The Government should act on principle, and not deal with questions as a matter of expediency. (Hear,

hear.) Mr. R. A. Armstrong briefly outlined the policy of the league, and urged those present to form a local branch to safeguard tho interests of the men who had to go to fight for the preservation of the State. He felt confident that the majority of reservists who remained bohind would not fail to recognise their duty to their fellows and se6 that the best possible conditions were secured as a matter of right for all soldiers and their dependants. ■ Mr. C. H. Chapman, lion, secretary of tho league,, detailed the results ci the league's activities, pointing to the fact that it was only by organisation that the present improvements in separation allowances and pensions had been brought about. The position so far as allowances wore concerned was (JUTte unsatisfactory, and further _ activity would be required to have this matter adjusted on a reasonable basis. He quoted correspondence showing that the decisions of tho Financial Assistance Board were not giving tionTho chairman sf.id that from his personal experience ho could say that the criticisms of the Financial Assistance Board were fully justified. Some of their decisions could only bo described as queer. He quoted cases that had como under his personal notice and expressed tho opinion that sinco Parliament had adjourned tho purse-strings of the hoard had been considerably tightened. On the motion of\ Mr. H. Jay, seconded by Mr. 0. Silbury. a Petonrbranch of tho league was formed, and tho following officers were elected: — Chairman, Mr. J. W. M'Ewan; lion, socrotarv, Mr. C. Silbury; eommitteo, Messrs."W. E. Claridge, W. Hounslow, F,. King, G. Leavov, A. E. Morgan, H. Jay, A. Smith, and 0. Upton.