SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE'S DEMANDS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 189, 30 April 1918, Page 6

SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE'S DEMANDS

CABINET CHANGED WITH BKEAK- ■ ING ITS PLEDGES. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, April 29. Tliere was a very large atteuuunce last night at the meeting called by the Seccyid Division League, many being nnablo to gain admittance. The Mayor presided. .Mr. M. .1. Gresson, chairmau of the Clhristchurch League, said the league had hoped to secure for wives and dependants an assurance that they would be adequately provided tor, and he confessed great sorrow that it had not attained its ends. It had failed because it relied 011 pledges from ilie Cabinet, which had since been broken. He moved: "That this meeting of representative citizous of .Christchurch, being prepared to meet their share of financial responsibility, insists that t.he Government immediately grant the demands of the Second Division League." This was seconded by Mr. H. J. Yates. Dr. Thacker and Jicsara. J. M'Combs and G. Witty also spoke. 'Mr. E. Lwigley declared that th» motion did not go far enough. He moved as an amendment': "That this meeting of Christchuvch citizens is of opinion that no Second Division man should leave for camp until the demands of the Second Division League are conceded by the Government; and also, that it demands that an election be Iheid immediately." Mr. n. Hunter seconded the amendment, which was carried with only four dissentients. As a result of the carrying of the amendment it was announced that Mr. Gresson will resign his office of president of the Second Division League. CONFERENCE WITH MEMBERS OP PARLIAMENT. By TBletrraph.—Association. Christchurch, April L'!). At a conference to-day between die Second Division League Executive and local members of Parliament, Jlr. H. G. Ell said lie had uot uttended Sunday night's meeting because ho did not think any good purpose would be served. Tlio law was on the Statute Book, and li«* had voted to extend the age to include himself, for Tie would be quite prepared to join his son at the front. He considered the demands of the league were just and fair. \t the same time, those in authority had the power of the pur.se, and he believed Sir Joseph Ward was as anxious to help reservists as anybody, but he had to consider the probable duration of the war. "I am uot going to he a party," Mr. Ell added, "cither directly or indirectly, to counsel revolt as a means to gain what you are after. I may be incurring displeasure or not. It is my duty to take up that attitude." "For goodness sake," said Mr. G. Witty, "don't try to stop any man going to the barracks to-night. Let us lie men. and let them go into cnn:p and we will sen that they arc not neglected. We have a right to see that the men are properly paid. ami their dependants properly cared for." Mr. .1. M'Combs said the money involved in the Second Division League'* demand's could be paid ten times over Tt was true that Sir .Joseph Ward Twfi enid that the reviewing of allowances would be granted before tho men went to the front, but it was competent for Second Division reservists to (ell Sir Joseph Ward that that promise -was not good enough, since a man's military pnv started and his civil employment coased

not when lie went to tlie front. Oat when lie went into camp. The following lelegram was subsequent ly sent by Messrs. Witty, Ell, Thacker, and M'Combs to Sir James Alton:— "Very strong and anxious feeling noro among Second Division men about al'owance to wives and children. Kindly state definitely and make public what the Cabinet intends to do as to allowances for soldiers' dependants." SECESSIONS FROM THE LEAGUE. Christcliurch, April 29. The following is a copy of a letter sent this morning by Mr. L. M. Isitt, M.P., to the chairman of the Second Division League's meeting: "I xegret that after the passing of tlie resolution tarried at Sunday night's meeting and that carried at a Second Division League meeting under thin disguise on Saturday night, 1 cannot seo my way to attend your meeting or in any way to identify myself with your executive as at present constituted. If you havo the right to refuse to defend your country and to leave in tho lurch your comrades who arc desperately struggling against tlie Prussian hordes because injustices and inequalities exist that should be remedied, there is not a man who has died for you and yours, or who is to-day fighting in the Empire's defence, who had not an eqiif\l right to refuse service. 1 recognise that tho National Government has not made as lull provision as it should have done for your wives and children, and all that under existing conditions I feel warranted in doing I shall do to secure some increase."

Messrs. M. .T. Gresson (president) and L. J. Campbell, a prominent member of the Second Division League executive, have also resigned on account of Sunday night's resolution.

A DUNEDIN RESOLUTION. By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, April 20. The following motion was carried by ' the local branch of tlie Second Division j League to-night:—"This meeting views with alarm the Government's failure to stand by the pledge to meet the demands of the league as to allowances to dependants of soldiers, and decides to use every endeavour to bring pressure on (lie powers that bo in the direction of compelling them to keep faith with Second . DTvision members, and also to do justice by soldiers as of right."