SECOND DIVISION DEMANDS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 210, 24 May 1918, Page 4

SECOND DIVISION DEMANDS

The Minister of Defence met the Second Division Leaguo deputation yesterday in a manner which will rcceivo the hearty endorsement 01 the' great majority of the peopio of tho Dominion. The points raised by tho deputation were met and answered in a clear and straightforward, manner, and with a proper recognition of the importance of the issues at stake. That the League is unreasonable in its persistence in its demands for a substantial increase in tho already liberal pror vision for the dependants of married men few will now doubt. When Sir James Allen remarked that it was a question of how far the State could bear tho burden he was interrupted by what presumably was derisive laughter. This was not merely ill-mannered on tho part of those members of tho deputation who thus offended, but it suggests also a quite amazing ignorance of tho tremendous financial difficulties which lie ahead, of this Dominion if the war continues for any considerable period longer. Cabinet, it may be hoped, will make it quite clear to tho Second Division League that its unjustified agitation for an increased separation allowanco meets as little with their approval as it docs with tho approval of people generally throughout the Dominion.