SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 73, 19 December 1917, Page 3

SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

CONSCRIPTION OF ALLIED ALIENS. . Tho executive of the Second Division League met last evening, Mr. It. A. Armstrong presiding. The secretary reported a steady increase iu membership as a result of the distribution _ of tho "Handbook of Reservists/' which had mot with commendation and complimentary references from all smarts of New Zealand. A number of important matters wore brought forward, and dealt with as follow: — The action of the Defence department in debarring homo-service men from securing the benefit of tho increased soparation allowances which come into force on January I next, was severely criticised, the geuerat opinion being that while those who lived at home and got special allowances couiu not expect to participate, it was just as hard for a home to be kept going when the breacTwinnor was attached to the camps in New /on land as if ho was awav on active service, in addition to which the man's personal expenses wero heavier. The following resolution was carried unanimously:--"That the Second Division League expresses its strong disapproval ol the action of tho authorities in debarring men employed on home service, and .who havo to live in camp, from participation in the increased -:cale of separation allowances, which is to come into force on January 1, 191S, and urges the Minister of Defence to extend the increase to the dependants of thoso men, in view of the fact that the adequate maintenance of the homes of all men on military service, whether abroad or in New Zealand, should bt the first care of tho State." It was decided that the attention of the Minister of Defence and the Prime Minister he drawn to the negotiations instituted by tho Federal Government of Australia to secure from tho Allied nations power to conscript Allied subjects for military service, and, in view of tho large number of Italians and other Allied subjects in New Zealand, that the Government be urged to take immediate steps to secure similar authority. -The members of the execu-. tive expressed themselves as being strongly of the opinion that there was need for immediate aotion. The steps taken by the Australian Government would mean that these aliens would flock, to New Zealand unless the protection from military sorvioo now apparently afforded them here was promptly removed. The «ecretary read correspondence from various districts dealing particularly.with Hie fishing- industry, and tomato and fruit growing, showing that tho operation of the Military Service Act on British subjects would in some instances almost mean the creation of a monopoly for tho Italians in thoso particular lines. 'The hope was expressed that the Government would grapple boldly <vitb the whole alien question, and that Ministers would have some better reply to make now after over three ;ears of war than that "tho matter was receiving ffio careful cons-'deration of the Government." It was resolved:—"That, in view of complaints made to the league that fit men of the First Division are being retained in New Zealand attached to the staff, the Minister of Defence be requested to have this matter, thoroughly inquired into, with a view to such readjustment as may be necessary to remove any suspicion of partiality in the administration of the Military Service Act." The secretary stated that tn« complaints had come from the married men in camp, who were feeling the injustice of being sent out of New Zealand while eligible men of the First Division' were being kept on staff billets. During the subsequent discussion it was pointed out tliat although these men would be few in number ihr> principle of justico was involved, and the authorities should take immediate steps to put right any case that gave tho soldiers legitimate cause to believe that discrimination existed.