SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 246, 5 July 1918, Page 6

SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

—; « WELLINGTON EXECUTIVE. The executive of the Second Division League held its weeldy meeting last evening. It was decided to hold the annual general meeting of the Wellington branch on July 18. A draft of the report and balance-sheet for submission to members was brought forward by the secretary, and approved. It was decided to call for nominations in writing for the various officers of 'the league. Letters were received from leagues throughout New Zealand expressing disappointment' at the Government's replies to the various matters brought forward by the deputations from the recent conference and expressing vtlicir determination to ask for further consideration. The last communication from the Minister of Defence was read, and the secretary was instructed to write expressing the regret of the executive th(\t the Minister had not replied to the several important pointe of principle raised, by the league. A question of hardship on the. wives of soldiers who are ordinary wageearners in civil .life was brought forward to tho effect that separation allowances are not paid until tho soldier lias been a month in camp. It was pointed w/t ■that in the majority' of cases the wives of soldiers had no bank balances or other reserve fund to fall back npon, and the long delay in receiving tho separation allowance placed them in a difficulty which could be avoided. The following resolution was carried:—"That tho Minister of Defence be asked to arrange that soparalion alliwances be paid at the end of Hie first fortnight after the soldier enters camp, instead of tho first month, ami payments bo mado fortnightly thereafter." The special sub-committee set up to consider the question of financo brought down a report which was considered ami approved. An. appeal is to lie made to membors and others interested to provide the necessary funds to carry on the work of the league. In the course of its appeal the sub-coinmitte,e states:— "Up to tho present tho whole of the work of the league has been carried on by voluntary effort. The officers have given nnspavingly of their time ami attention. Over U,OOO handbooks lmvo been posted free to reservists called up by the ballots in the Wellington Military District. _ Over 2000 special letters have been written in response to inquiries made by Wellington reservists and soldiers' dependants. Over 1006 personal interviews have been given to reservists, soldiers, and their dependants', and "the lensue has secured proper treatment in numberless cases that it lias taken up. The league has to thank (he president for the free use of his office as Ihe headquarters of the organisation. Since the actual cnllins up of the Second Division the facilities offered by the. leacue have been used to such nn extent by reservists ami deneiwlants that the executive has d"cided that the prinr;nal officers most be relieved of much nf the detail work by fli» annoiitltnenl n! a paid s«"n'fary. and the npenpitr „f n special office as the liendniiarters of the league and as an infivrnnti'in bureau tr asq'st reservists and rlioir dependents in securing the full benefits provided by 'en'slation and regulation."