THE SECOND DIVISION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1706, 1 May 1917, Page 3

THE SECOND DIVISION.

BASIS OF CLASSIFICATION

RECRUITING BOARD’S PROPOSALS.

The classification of the second division of Ihe expeditionary force reserve has been occupying the attention of the Recruiting Board for some time, and it is slated now that definite proposals are being submitted to Cabinet for approval. The second division comprises all married men over 20 and under -Hi years of age. The Military Service Act contemplates the separation of the members of this division into groups, and it has been assumed generally that the basis of classification will be the number of dependants supported by the reservist. A. married man who lias no children i* better able to serve bis country, all things being equal, limn the married man with two or three or more children. But the classification is not as easily devised as would appear at first sight. For instance, a man with one child receiving a weekly salary, which will cease on enlistment, is in a worse position than the man who has four children and an assured income from business or property. The intention of the Recruiting Board is to make ihe classification an broad lines and then leave the Military Service Boards to deal with the exceptional cases. Age, as well as Hie number of dependants, may be taken into consideration in life grouping of the men. A great deal of hardship will be inevitable if a call lias to be made on (he second division, and that fact might to be laced by the men concerned. The rale* of military pay almo*t certainly will not he increased. The -i-ale of allowances may he amended in the direction of increasing the separation allowance payable to the wife, bin the basis of payment in all ease* will be the same and Hie standard will be the amount that is fair in the ease of the wage-earn-ing classes. In oilier word*, wives who are accustomed lo house-keep-ing mi a family income of from 15 lo £S a week and more, will have to adapt their weekly accounts lo an income of from £2 to £2 10s a week.

The probable dale of the exhaustion'of the first division is still a

subject of discussion. The availablc figures do not: provide a basis for an exact calculation since it is impossible to know what proportion of the remaining members of the division are (it for active sendee, but there appears to be.no present reason for changing the suggestion already made, that the married men will not become subject to the chances of the ballot before October, and will not lie required to enter camp before December or January. The dates may possibly be later.