THE SECOND DIVISION.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 February 1917, Page 5

THE SECOND DIVISION.

BETTER TREATMENT DEMANDED^ 'AN ORGANISATION FORMED. Tlie organisers of tlio Second Division League," recently ftvnned in Duneduj are suggesting the ereation of branchei of the body in otlior parts of New Zea| land. The purpose of the League, the' explain, is to protect the interests oi members of the Second Division of th( Kvpeditionary Reserve by securing Add quale provision for their dependent) whilo tho men are serving with the Exj peditionary Force. Tlie League is non) political and is open to all classes o| tlie community. Membership is not corn lined to Reservists, since it is felt that the issues involved concern the people who are staying at home as much as thf men who will bo called upon to light. We wish to obtain more adequate pensions and allowances for the me» . who are fighting and their dependants;' said one of the promoters of the Leagul in explanation of the scheme. "We ad not trying to harass the Government oi put any obstacles in the way of th» operations of the Military Service Act! We are ready, indeed, to co-operate wit* the Government in making the operation of the Act effective. But we wish tj make it possible for a married man to "o front with an easy conscience, knowing that liis family will be ad* quately provided for. The League does not ask for more pay for soldiers; 14 aska for larger allowances for the dci ' pendants." The present position of the Second Division men is uncertain owing to thq lack of an official interpretation of the regulations governing the granting of special assistance to soldiers with busi. ncss or domestic responsibilities. A mar* ried recruit receives the same pay m his unmarried comrade, at the rate of a day. His wife is given a separation allowance of 7s per week, with 5s per , week for each child under the agd of sixteen years. The total income of husband, wife and two children under this scale will be £2 12s per week, from which the husband will require few shillings for personal expenses in camp and at the front. In addition to (his the Government has made provl* sion for the payment of a special allow? anco in order to enable a recruit taj meet the following obligations: (a) Rent. (b) Interest and instalments pay-.,, able in respect of loans and.** mortgages. (e) Interest and instalments payable in respect of agreement for purchaso of a dwelling-* house, business premises, fumi* ture, and the like. (d) Rates and taxes. (e) Insurance premiums. (f) Expenses incurred in respect of the management of business during his military service, The maximum of assistance in tho cats, of one soldier is not to exceed £2 peri week. J Applications for assistance under thesA headings are to be considered by the, Military Service Boards, which will makai' recommendations to the Minister for D#., fence, and the interpretation placed upon the regulations by the Boards still to be disclosed. An important proviso is that except la. exceptional circumstances no assistance. .- will be granted in respect of iflnanoUl 1 ' obligations incurred by a reservist after the passing of the Military Service Act in 1010, by way of loans, mortgages or agreements to purchase. The wholoi scheme is governed by the provision of the Act relating to "undue hardship," ! assistance being authorised only in easel' where undue hardship would othenrijfti exist, but no exact definition in tllifl con* ncct.i t on appears to bo possible. ' A point that will ; be raised by the League is the right of a reservist to have the preniumsyfcn new insurance ■ policies paid by a special grant. Matty married men who feel it <m."ur.du» hart- ,