Hokitika Guardian 7 Evening Star WEDNESDAY, JUDY 25th, 1917. THE SECOND DIVISION.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 July 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian 7 Evening Star WEDNESDAY, JUDY 25th, 1917. THE SECOND DIVISION.

.Tub Second Division League is particularly well organised and it is going to direct tho country to do fuller justice to its soldiers than the political parties would have been prepared to do otherwise. The recent conference in \Voiling Lon opened the eyes of the members of Parliament and incidentally the Govenrinenr, to the clear-duty of the country to the men who are serving it. There is a good deal of leeway to make up, and without the lover of tho Second Division, it is doubtful if the Government would go as far as they must necessarily do now. It is a matter for regret that after threo years, ol war, ana with the First Division all but exhausted, tho country has failed to do adequate duty to the men who are serxing. Almost day by day case upon case of complaint arises wherein there is strong ground for reproach against the Government scale's of assistance to those who give their services for their country. When tho Dominion so sensibly determined upon National sorvico it became the duty of the people to provide properly for the soldiers. It stands to reason that with tho cost of living rising, and tho country about to call up compulsorily those with personal independents, that more adequate pay must'bo made, and a larger pension scheme provided for. The country must lace this burden ns a' right and a duty to those on whom it calls for service. . The war is at a desperate stage now. There must not. he aiiy turning back. Tho obligations imposed wifi compel tho country to raid wealth us it has done life in order to prosecute the war to a satisfactory conclusion. This justaposition of men and money was admirably put by one of the 'Second Division League in an impressive interview last week with about fifty members of Parliament. The speaker said : “The war is a question of life and death, Wo stand hero to-day looking through the gates of death to Eternity. If we are not, then the Government has no warrant for calling upon the men of this country to lie divorced from thoir wives and children perhaps for ever. But we believe there is such a warrant. We IbbUieve the emergency does exist. It is a very sorjous position. The dependents will make a great sacrifice. Sacrifice is not a' mere question of giving more than you can afford. Tt can be judged only by what you have left after you have given. The time has arrived for the Government to reach out H bold hand in these matters. I believe tho moneyed classes who have incomes to burn, will gladly burn them if they are asked in a proper way. The men with money are simply waiting for a lead. If the Government does the proper thing it will find a ready response to the call for the last man and tho last shilling.” This is a. vivid summing up of the facts and the position. 'Hie Government need resolution. They have ha]te4 too long between opinions. The’

hesitancy applies.to qll things connected with the war. The Government in such matters must need to play the part, of dictators; and strike out boldly upon a set policy, which will ensure order and a good Government, and the sound administration which will instill confidence and give the people courage - to meet resolutely all demands made upon them. That i s tho sano and certain way to win the war