MARRIED MEN.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 May 1917, Page 6

MARRIED MEN.

POSITION OF SECOND DIVISION. ENABLING THEM TO LOOK AHEAD. With the approaching depletion of the First Division, the members of the Second Division are interesting themselves as to what the position will be when the supply of single men is exhausted. A short discussion took place at the meeting of the Wellington Central Chamber of Commerce, states the Wellington Post, when Mr. J. F. Atkins moved:

"That this chamber views with approval the formation of a Second Division League throughout the Dominion, and endorses- the attitude taken up, that increased pensions and allowances should be provided for dependents, and also that, to avoid unnecessary industrial disorganisation, the medical examinations of the several classes should be proceeded with as early as possible and before the ballots are held."

Mr. Atkins said that he was interested in organising the Second Division League, and while the members of that league all said they had no desire to get into the trenches, they were quite willing to do so when it was necessary. The general consensus oT opinion was that the Second Division would never be called, but he did not think it right that this impression should go round the country, lie thought that the members of the Second Division should be examined as soon as possible, so that their .employers should be in a position to know how [they would stand in the event of the Second Division being called up. He expressed the opinion that tho; time had come when the 'Government should put this nation on a militarist basis, so that New Zealand could help in the securing of not only victory, but peace with honor.

Mr. T. Forsyth said that the first part of the motion, /if it were carried into effect, would mean a tremendous expenditure, and he was not altogether in favor of it. The second part of the motion, however, had his full support, as a great deal of time and' money was being wasted at present in regard to medical examinations.

The chairman (Mr. A. L. Hunt) said that a man migHt be rejected now, and when he came up in six months' time, might bo pased as medically fit. In tjhe meantime, however, there was a possibility that ho would have entered into financial responsibilities.

Mr. Atkins said that there were some men who. -would never pass as medically

The chairman remarked that it would moan a very big thing to have all the members of the Second Di-.ision examined.

.Mr. Atkins replied that his motion was intended to apply only to Class A of the Second Division.

It was decided to refer the proposal *fco a special committee consisting o|f Messrs C. M. Luke (president), A. L. Hunt (vice-president) and J. F. Atkins, to report to the next meeting o£ the chamber on the subject.