SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 205, 18 May 1918, Page 8

SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

Sir,—"A Father of Two Boys at the Front" need not worry. The general public are slowly but surely beginning to realise what the Second Division League really is. At present the league is going full speed ahead, and it only needs to be given enough rope for tho inevitable to happen. The public up till recently have been inclined to talcs it at its own valuation, believing that there wa6 something in the orv for proper provision for the wives and fami ; lies. Havo members not continually declared that they wanted nothing for themselves—it was all for tho wives and children? But see what it has come 10. Under the pretence of fighting for justice for the wives and bringing the separation allowance up to a living wage, they loudly clamour for an increase to tiie wives of 21s. per week, the allotment, from the soldiers' pay to cease. , Sit. will you kindly state in a. footnote to this letter if the wives and children will be one penny better off if this demand is grafted? On the other hand, does it not mean that the Second Divisionist. will be the party to benefit to the extent of 3s. per day? Well may their agitation bo called a sham and a pretence. The nearer their time for service conies, tho louder their outcry and the more impossible their demands. And remember, theso are tho men who linve lived in peace and plenty for close on four years since the war was declared, gathering in their share, no doubt, of the war profits, while better men than they wera doing the fighting wlncli made this security possible. The Second Division League is the essence of selfishnbss, being out for all it. can get, camouflaged behind the children and the skirts of its womenfolk. Members loudly demand equality of sacrifice, and that no man should be allowed to benefit through the war. Yet they wish to bring in a scale of further _ payment whicn would make the war income of (no average reservist greater than his civil pre-war or even present earnings. If they really desire to practise equality of sacrifice, why don't they follow in tho footsteps of the gallant patriots of the Main Body and earlier reinforcements?, But that is not the equality of sacrifice' the Second Division League seeks. . Oh, dear, no! Let all the other meh go first, and then with pay, separation allowances, financial assistance, pension* scheme, and everything monetary fixed to tlieir own liking, they will start on. their belated march to Berlin, a gallant army of "patriotic," full-pursed conscripts.' One can understand the amazement of our gallant French and Belgian soldier visitors at tho atcitudo of the Second Division League, and it is to bo. sincerely hoped that the Government will at long last pui this league in its proper place, and not allow it to dictate Iho terms and conditions on which its members are prepared to do their duty, l'he statement ot the president of rho league in claiming thai its activities havo conduced to the peaceful working 3t" the Military Service Act, is ludicrous, [t is on a par with liis effrontery in using the Cliristchurch disturbance as in example of the feeling of the people if tho Dominion towards the Government in- daring to' withstand the demands of the league. He might with is much sonso have pointed to the >\nzac dinner at the Town Hall as anither indication of dissatisfaction with' :he National Government. The Minister of Defence and his colleagues havo ihvays proved themselves willins to remedy any legitimate grievances, but it s high time that they took a firm stand with this minority league and its programme. I am, etc., JAB IK. May 17, 1918.