The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1916. SECOND RESERVE GRIEVANCES.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 22 February 1917, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1916. SECOND RESERVE GRIEVANCES.

(With which is incorporated The Taihape Post and Waimarino News).

The ingenuity displayed by some people in endeavouring to avoid bearing their natural responsibilities in the war, is worthy of some more commendable object. Fearing that second division reserves may soon be called upon to go into camp, a number of the more timorous ones have formed a Second Division League. Realising that its members will be called to arms as the first division is exhausted, they have made this combined effort to have second division pay, pensions, and allowances made on a ranch more liberal scale than that of members of the first division. It should have been obvious to men of the second division that recruiting could not be held up at the last minute on any such pleas or considerations. The time was when Parliament was dealing with the subject, and any alteration that may be deemed just and necessary will have to be held over till Parliament is in ses^

again. The Minister of Defence has been approached on this and other matters, and he leaves no doubt about the law, and that it will have to be observed till constitutionally altered. From the remarks of the Minister it seems that the grievance is not that of working people, but that class that, could do without any pension, for he says, respecting the demands, it was necessary to start with a standard which must be that or the working-class. He made it clear that social distinctions could not be carried into the ranks with the connivance and assistance of the Government in instituting a higher scale of pay. Sir James Allen said definitely, there could he no grading of pay apart from military rank; it was a matter for the country to consider whether the existing allowances were sufficient. There are many aspects relative to the pay, pensions, allowances and the settlement' of returned fighting men that call for most vigorous criticism, out this is not a proper time for discussing- anything more

than outstanding cases of individual •hardship. The rate of pop Pas Loon fixed by Parliament, and He ’national common sense will re Pise that He work of recruiting . aaiot ho delayed at this vitally critical moment hy considerations sought to be introduced. War operations have reached an auspicious stage tor the Allies; knowing this, it seems something more than ) unreasonable for - any class of reserves, still uncalled, to introduce any contention that might interfere with the inflow of recruits at this supreme moment of advisability to make a colossal show of man power. Men going into camp now may reach the firing line, but it is believed that by July or August, when they will arrive in France, the fighting will have reached a stage when tried, experienced troops will be required in the front ranks. There is no evidence To support the view that the war will be a long drawn-out affair, quite the contrary, both sides are making colossal preparations for securing a quick and certain decision. The Allies firmly 'believe they are strong enough to destroy the enemy in France during the coming European summer, therefore, with the prospect that members of the second division may never see fighting, it seems somewhat out of place that there should be serious movement at this inopportune time to create distinction between one soldier and another. The Minister has, however, made it quite clear that the law can make no such class distinctions. When the second division will be called is not yet known; the first has not yet beeq quite exhausted. Combing out the first division is receiving consideration, and the Minister says, for that reason only conditional exemption would be granted in appeals. Employers are advised that I they are expected to make provision for the possible calling up of what they deem to be essential employees. It is apparent that the right stamp of man is urgently wanted at the moment, and Military Service Boards are not likely to allow able men to escape the performance of a national duty because of any inconvenience it would cause in the' conduct of any business or industry. 1 All New Zealand must be madh'to realise that men are wanted now,'not that they can take much part in the prepared for clash, but they must be there in case of any miscarriage or accident. There is to be no limit to the number of recruits; reinforcements are to be sent to the front ht**the rate of about two thousand five hundred a month until victory is: -won. v So says the Minister of Defence.- It has been rumoured that recruits being called from now onward will be largely used in England for Home defence, setting free the huge trained army now doing Home duty.