DEFENCE MINISTER AND SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 231, 18 June 1918, Page 6

DEFENCE MINISTER AND SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

Sir,—ln your issue of June 13 the ITon. Sir James Allen displays his great ability as a camouflage artist. Right through the correspondence with the Second Division league he lias side-tracked, where he could, and where that was not possible, he tries to blur the issue, so that those who are not fully cognisant of all tho facts are lead to confused understanding of the points under consideration. Taking the paragraphs as they appear in your issue of June 18:— 1. As to what tlio Financial Assistance Board was created for does not matter. 'I'lio contention of the members of the voluntary, First and Second Divisiau men, who have spoken to me, and they are many, is that the administration of the board, as controlled by tho National Government, is not piving satisfaction; also, that its work is so hampered by red tape that it is too slow. ( I attended the last conference of the Second Division League, and I never heard any misconception expressed by any of the other members as to what the objects of the board were; but I did hear plenty of complaints of its slow work nnd general unsatisfactoriness of tho results therefrom. 2. Mr. Mitchell's resignation and his reappointment: There can be but one opinion held !>y all who know tho manner of his original appointment; and that is that Mr. Mitchell has made a mistake, to say nothing stronger, and that the Minister has made a bigger one in appointing him. Sir James Allen's high opinion will not reinstate him in the Second Division League's good graces. 3. The 3s. Cd. allotment: While I havo been in Feathorston, which is since the military camp opened, over two.years /■ago, I have had conversations with big numbers of returned -men, and I never heard one of them say that the 14s. was enough to carry them through, and give them a chance to have a bit to spend on their furlough days. Some of them who left a 3s. 6d. allotment behind said that they had to send for money to help them through. All say that it is impossible to do on 10s. fid. a week. It is of no matter how long* back the regulation was . brought into operation, or whether it applies to voluntary, First or Second Division men, the whole thing is wrong, and as it is computed in with thet wife s income, if she becomes an applicant for financial assistance, by the Financial Assistance Board, the Second Division Leagueites say that it is unfair, and ask that tho regulation be altered. 4. Sine die exemptions, and 5: Importation of labour from other'parts to take tho place of men gone to the front, are important details, but they can wait till tho electors get their opportunity later, on.

6. Protection of Business: This matter may have been discussed by the. Efficiency Board, but Sir James Allen should remember, and if he does not I will bring his niind back to the appointment of the original Efficiency Board, and its fate. As Acting-Prime Minister when.the Hon. \\ r . 1 ? . Massey and the Hon. Sir Joseph Ward were over the seas, on a previous trip, Sir James Allen created tlio original board, but on the return of these gentlemen neither the personnel or the work of the board gave satisfaction, and all, or nearly all the work, food or bad, went over the sido of the National Government ship. Sir. history repeats itself in political lifo oftener than in any other walk of human affairs, therefore all the discussion of this '"Etßcicncy Board may have the same fata as the original board's.

I am strongly, Sir, of tho opinion that Sir James Alien is sparring for tine, and is only anxious that vested interests and fitay-at-homert shall be protected fiom tho tax-gatlieror, for the small moit;r that' would bo required to make up all the claims of voluntary, First and Seci nd Division soldiers and their dependants. Sir James Allen's policy, to me, seems to he: "Live, horse! The grass is growing; you will have plenty by and by." But the 61d adage says, "While the 'grass is growing tho horse may starve." And that is what' the Second Division League is afraid of—l am, etc., C. DANAHEI'. I'eatherston, June 14, 1918.