SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 192, 3 May 1918, Page 6

SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE'S MANIFESTO DOMINION CONFERENCE TO BE HELD TROUBLE IN CHRISTCHURCiI , A. meeting of the executive of tlifc Second Division League was held last evening, Mr. ]). A. Armstrong presiding. II; was drcidrd to issue the followingmanifesto:—"That the National Executive of tho Second Division League, having promptly expressed its disapproval of recent happenings in Christchurch, desires to cull public attention to the fact i'hat the dissatisfaction among reservists line been due entirely to the policy of drift adopted by the Government. Tin* concessions made to the long-standing and continued requests for adequate conditions have been wrung from the Government purely us the result of organised efforts and convincing arguments or the league. If those provisions are righfc now they were also right at the session-, of 1017, when the powers of caucus wen» uswl to pi-event Parliament carryingthem into effect. The league asks the public to realise, if dissatisfaction now exists anions a section of tin , community to the extent as recently demonstrated, in Christehurch, how much greater sin* more universal would have been the dissatisfaction and consequent disorganisation at this critical time hnd the league not organised and forced tho authorities to grapple with tho many problems affecting the calling up of the Second Division? To this extent the league has benefited not only soldiers and their dependants, but the community as a whole, and has saved tho Government from that awkward position to which their policy of drift wns unquestionably leading. In i-csDonse to numerous Teniiests from leagues it was decided to hold ,? 01111 "" ' ion conference in Wellington on May 22, A SPLIT IN CIIRISTCHURCH * LEAGUE MEETING BREAKS UT. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, May 2. A general meeting of members of tho Chriatehureh Second Division League was held to-night to discuss tho future policv;of the 'league. Mr. 11. J' , . Toogood, of the national executive, presided. During the discussion it transpired that the executive of the Christchurch Branch, passed si resolution "last Friday recommending the national executive to declare that members of I lie Icagno wero released from all obligations it the Gflvcrnment did not grant the leagues demands by May 31 next. The extremist section of Ihe league sit to-nisrhfs meeting secured the upper hand, and a motion to rescind Fridny nijrhfs resolution being lost, Hie loj-nlists followed the chairman out of the hall. A new chairman was installed, and he refused to accept the following motion: "That wo Second Division reservist are prepared m serve under the Military Service Act. The other loyalist members of the executive then deigned, and the meetingbroke up. An outcome of recent happenings will prolwW.r be the formation of si. new Second Division '.cague confiVd exclusively to what are termed loyalists. GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE CRITICISED GROUNDS OF EXEMPTION. 6y Telegraph—Press Association. Hamilton, May 2. At a very largely attended meeting of tho Second Division League last night the Government was strongly criticised regarding its attitude to exemptions and: allowances. A resolution was carried, urging the Government to increase the wife's allowance to six shillings per day in addition to the soldier's allotment; also, to review all First Division and Class A Second Division exemptions bei'ore sending married men with families into camp. The Government was alsourged to reconsider the principles governing tho Military Service Board in allowing exemptions. Several members considered that medical unfitness should b<J the only ground of exemption. Religiou* objectors were also criticised. The league considered that the three months leave promised before uiteriug camp should aiwavs be given. The members of the league were willing to fight/but wanted their dependants assured against hardship. STRONG RESOLUTIONS CARRIED ' MEMBER oTpARLIAMENT HECKLED. Blenheim, May 2. A crowded meeting of the Second Division League put its case before Mr. l<. M'Callum, M.P., who wns subjected to considerable hectoring. Subsequently strong resolutions were carried, expressing dissatisfaction at I Mr. M'Calhim's replies and no confidence in him as the representative ot the electorate, and calling .on the mitioiiaL executive to organise demonstrations throughout New Zealand, demanding a general election. . . , With reference to the Prime Minister s comments on the Christchurch incident, a resolution was passed deprecating anj attempt to make capital -out, of the riot and prejudice the just claims cl the league. RESOLUTION OFOAJIARU BRANCH By Tclecra»li.-Press Aesociatiou. Oamaru, -May 2. At a largely-attended meeting of the. North Otiwo Branch of the .Second. Division League, held this evening, the i following resolutions were earned uiinni- ' inously: "That this meeting of the North Oteeo Branch of the Second Division (League reaffirms its former resolution. | demanding that the league s proposals already placed before the Government bo ! nwn effect to." "That the Government, i laving failed in- its duty by refusing to grant tho just and reasonable demands ! made for adequate sonaration allowances, i for the wives of soldiers while the- lntiler are on active service, this league requests the national executive to iinmediiltely convene a conference of leagues from a.ll parts of New Zealand with a. Tiwfo d«Me upon a.'inttal. course of action by tho. Second J i vision vcseivista throughout. New Zealand