SECOND DIVISION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 210, 24 May 1918, Page 6

SECOND DIVISION

NATIONAL CONFERENCE CONTINUED REMITS FROM THE LEAGUES YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS The conference of (ho Federated Second Division Leagues was continued in the Masonic Hall, Bouleott Street, yesterday. Mr. It. A. Armstrong, national president, was in tho chair, and the following dologntes were present;—A. A. Creamer (Auckland), JI. Aitkonhend (ilelensville), Stewart (Kaukupakapa)., A. G. Stallworthy (Northern Wairoa)", J. L. Campbell (Canterbury), 11. 8. J. Goodman (Christchurch), H. JI. Jones (Ashburton), A. Armstrong (Belfast), Rev. ,T. E. Tockw (Gerakliue), G. G. Newton (Hawarden), C. M. Williams (Kainpoi), H. M'Millan (Marshlands), 11. Croxton (East Oxford), C. East (Pleasant Point), W. A. Rowse (liangi-or-a), T. Buxton (Temuka), M. J. Doyle (Tima.ru), T. G. laddie (Hastings), B. D. Cook (Blenheim), W. Dickenson (Havolock), V. T. Webloy (Neison), AV. jiarrett (Pieton), L. A. White (Kekerangu), W. V. Hanstock (Motueka), P. H. T. Mower (Flat Creek), J. Gilchrist (Poverty Bav), J. G. Osborne (Hawera), T. C. List '(IngVowood), C. Blair (Kaponga), J. M'Leotl (New Plymouth), T. Buchanan (Taranaki North), F. AV. Stevens (Waimate West),-'J. Clark (liahotii), J. Hunter (Gore), G. F. Bowley (Otago), D. P. Skinner (Wellington), H. F. Toogood (Carterton), C. Danahay and A. C. Holms (Fcatherston), R. H. Billcns (Levin), E. Bennett (Manawatn), F. S'tupples (Manakau), E. G. Barry (Ojiakune), A. Barrott (Palnatua), J. 11. I'arquhar .(Shannon), Eoss (Wanganui), B. A. King (Potone). During the morning the conferenco considered the repatriation question, and waited as a deputation! upon Sir James Allen and other members of the National Government. ~,,,, When tho conferenco mot in the afternoon tho consideration of remits was continued. Exemptions,

Discussion took place on the following remits from northern leagues:— "That physical fitness be the only factor in determining whether or not a man shall be in the military forces, and that tho cases of all exempted reservists be immediately reviewed before fresh military servico boards." "That all previous exemptions granted by both military service, boards and medical boards be cancelled forthwith, and that these reservists be allowed tho right of lodging first appeals and tho right to be. medically re-examined." ' Several delegates supported the remits, but others stated that the worK of tho military service boards generally was" satisfactory, and that special cases of injustice should be dealt with individually. The remits wero withdrawn.

Defonco Start's. A proposal from Buckland that Hie Government should "be urged to have* all eligible men now employed in the training camps as drill instructors and all oilier men who aro nt for service, released, and returned soldiers employed in their stead," was rejected on the voices. It was urged against tills remil that it might embarrass the. I)c----fenco Department. A remit Horn Shanuon "that the Defence Department coml) out of its start's all fit Mrst Division men'' was witnarawn. Employers' Appeals, A remit from Grey Lynn: "That the practice of allowing employers to appeal for exemption of employees bn discontinued," was discusseU. Mr. A. A. Creamer (Auckland) said that many people telt it. was unrair that employers should be able to say whether or not a mau should go to tho front. There wt>ro cases ol men being called "essential" by their employers after a ballot, wtion they had never been looked upon as essential before. Mr. M'Lcod opposed tho remic. Ho said it was a lact that employers were finding tho greatest dillicully in maintaining industries owing to lack of labour. It would bo a disastrous thing for the country if tho industries were stopped. The remit was adopted by 2il votes to 17. Enemy Parentape, Mr. Webley moved on behalf of the Nelson League:

"That any reservist of German parentage who appeals for exemption on tho ground of German sympathies, and is granted such exemption, should be interned or put to some woik of national importance on military pay." Ho said that there were many Germans in Nelson. Most of them wero reputable citizens, but there was a particular young man who had been exempted from military servico on account of his German parentage and German sympathies. This man had complete freedom. The Military Servico Board and the officer commanding the district had reported tho case, but nothing had beon done. Mr. Hanstock (Motueka) said he knew tho case mentioned, and it did not stand alone. There were enemy aliens in tho Motueka district who were openly disloyal. ■• The report was adopted. Mr. M'Leod moved, for tho Rakotu League: "That in view of the altered conditions of the war, tho Government be called upon to show energy and determination in so organising industry that military unfit men of the First and Second Divisions be trained to take the places of tit exempted men. Also, that the retired farmers throughout the Dominiou be organised to release fit men from farms." Mr. Holms opposed the remit. Ho said it was undemocratic in principle and rodo counter to the opinions of organised Labour. Industrial conscription would place too much power in the hands of employers. Mr. Liddle also objected to tho remit. The league should be careful not to alienate the sympathy of the workmen. Mr. M'Leod said it was a fact, that New Zealand had hundreds of retired farmers who were quite, capable of returning to work. They were men of middle age, who had misle some money and were living in tho towns. Delegates Urged that no fit man had a right to be "retired" at the present ti mo - , .„. ! i if "Why the farmer only. J asked Mr. Aitkeulwad (Reletisville). There were any number of men living on their means in New Zealand. Mr List (Inglewood) said there were Taranaki farmers who could not # leave their farms owing to the necessity oi keeping the places going, while at tho same time New Plymouth contained muiiv capable farmers who were simp y living on their mean's. These men should bo conscripted and put to work. Mr. Williams moved as an amendment: "That penal taxation be levied on ablebodied, wealthy men who aro not workin" at some useful employment." Ho sa'id that forced labour would seldom pay the cost of forcing it. The conscription of labour would be useless without flic conscription of wealth. '-In ..fact, there was no stopping place short of complete Socialism. The economic whip kept the working man at work, and tho Game whip should bo applied to tho ' wealthy loafer." Mr. Holms said (he Government had retired able-bodied Civil Servants, and at the same time was appealing for men whose places they, could lake. The amendment was rejected, and the motion was carried in the following form, suggested by Mr. Doylo (Timaru): "That in view of tho altered conditions of tho war. the Government lie urged to organ iso all fit retired men, in order to release lit men of military age for service." Military Service Boards, Tho following remit from Hamilton was adopted after brief discussion: "That Second Division leagues, should have representation on every military servico board, such representatives to be ineligiblo for service." Medical Reports. Tho following remit from Manawatu was adopted:—"That this branch of the loaguo demands in the interests of national efficiency that the report of the ■

medical examination should at least bo presented to each reservist concerned, with a view- to prolong the usefulness in civil life, of such reservists as are adjudged unfit for military service." The CI Camp. Cunlerbury delegates brought forward the following remit:—"Tliat this conference nek the Government that in order to avoid unnecessary disorganisation in carrying on tlio industries of the country Second Division reservists bo classed lit or unlit, and not sent to the CI camp." Opposing delegates said no distinction should bo drawn between married men and single men. ALr. liewley (Diiuedin) proposed tho following uinond'ment :—"(!) That nil Cl men be given one month after medical examination to make any temporary domestic and business arrangements before, being ordered'to parade for tho physical twining enmp. [i) That the reservist be given one month's testing in tho physical training camp to test his fitness. If he be proved unlit, give him his discharge at once. (3) il the Cl reservist be pruved medically lit after the 'try out,' that he Ijo given two months' leave of absence, so that he may return to his homo and make filial arrangements for his dependants and the disposing of his business .preparatory to his going into the reinforcements." The iimondment was accepted by tho mover of tho motion and carried. Imported Workers. Trie following Wellington remit was adopted:— ' "That tho league renews it« request that no person of military age be permitted to enter New Zealand to talte up the positions of New Zealanders called up for service." Home Service. It was resolved after brief discussion that home service men should l>e placed on tho same footiu? as foreign service men as far as allowances to depondants were concerned. The Alien Question. This remit relating to aliens was adopted:—"That conference protest against the inactivity of the Government in respect to the alien question, and demands that immediate action be taken to enforce upon tho aliens in this country equality of sacrifice; it being inimical to the beat interests of the Dominion and the dependants of our soldiers lhat tho present discrimination in favour of the aliens should continue." It was Tesolved that the Government should be urged to put interned Germans to some profitable rise, and that in regard to Allied aliens the Government bo urged to speed up the necessary arrangements ,for the calling-up of these men either with the New Zealand Forces or with their own countrymen.

Children's Benefits. Conference decided (o review its request that the age limit for children benefits should.bo 18 for boys and 21 for girls. Patriotic Funds, The following remit from Wellington was discussed at 6omo length: "That the Government be requested to institute thorough inquiries into the present condition of the various patriotic funds, with a view to (he State taking over complete control of same." Several delegates stated that an element of charity had been introduced into tlib administration of patriotic funds. Soldiers and dependants had to ask for help and were treated as applicants for the charity. One delegate described the institution of the honorary lady, visitor as "absolutely nauseous." Soldiers' dependants ought not to be required to explain their home affairs to these lady visitors who had been appointed 7>y patriotic societies. It was urged on the other hand- that Government control would be worse than patriotic society control. Mr. Barry said ho was strongly opposed to Government control of the patriotic funds. But there was need to take over the funds from tltf "Tories" who had gained control of them in some quarters. Government _ control would mean red tape and friction. The remit was rejected. The .conference considered some matters in committee and adjourned until 9 a.m. to-day.