THE SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 204, 17 May 1918, Page 6

THE SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

Sir,—Some unkind folk at Homo have said that we Now Zealanders have notradition to inspire us to valorous deeds. That was some time ago. Now we have founded our own traditions by our endurance, pluck, and accomplishments in battle. Lately a fresh tradition has been founded by a section of our community— a section which styles itself the Second Division League. Perhaps in time la come its members will alsp cover themselves with glory, but its record hitherto, is not an enviable one. In his preamble, tho president stated that the league had loyally accepted tho principle of military service, and then proceeded to submit a number of remits which add fresh financial burdens to tho Government. AIL these remits except one, adding as they did to tho material comfort of its members and their wives, were carried unaniThe exception—"that no exemptions sliall be granted except for physical infirmity"'—was defeated, thus still leaving a loophole for escape from servico to members who belong to essential industries.

6110 other remit (carried, of course) 1 calls for particular attention. For thepurpose of getting tho children's allowance, males up to tho ago of 18 and females up to 21 are to be classed aachildren. Presumably, therefore, a. young wife of twenty with one child can draw her separation allowance as a wife, the allowance for her child, and tho allowance for herself as a child. Comparisons in this case must bo especially odious,, hut it is impossible not to hark back, to the time when hundreds of young men. cheerfully left their wives and children, allotting them all their pay with the exception of Gd. or Is. per day, and rushed to the danger zone with as much spirit and eagerness as the members of tho league are exhibiting to be left behind. It would be interesting to know if all. the members of the league are so destitute as to bo unable to provide for their kith ar.d kin without Government helpThere must bo come rich men amongthem, some comfortably off, and soniodepending on wages. The-first apparently wish to be richer, the second to store up a further nest egg, and tho third merely want an increase in their present rates to which—as'they are entering a dangerous enterprise—tney may consider themselves entitled. It has occasionally been, suggested that wives, when their husbands depart, could greatly reduce expenses- by living with their own or husbands' .people, and thus follow tho example of- thousands in the Old Country, where the separation allowance is only a fraction of what it is', here. These suggestions have not been received kindly. The ladies bridle and talk of their independence. It seems odd, and. yet l. suppose it is most natural that in hardly a single instance does tho idea of sacrificing ono tittle of their comfort appeal to them, their main purpose king, seemingly, to squeeze as much out of the Uov< eminent as possible.—l am, etc.,