SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 July 1917, Page 5

SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE.

PAEIiAMBXT INTERVIEWED. \

~ By Telegraph.—Press Association. ' " Wellington, July SO. A delegation from the conference ci the Second Division League waited on members of Parliament to-day and placed before them the resolutions passed by the conference regarding the pay and pensions of soldiers. About 50 members were present, presided over by Mr, Wilford. It was decided that Messrs Wilted, Guthrie, and Forbes he tb4 permanent channels of communication between the League and members of srtoliament, and that the Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, and Minister of Defence be asked to meet M.P.'s And the Leajne at a round-table conference. Before concluding, the PresidSrit of the League said: "We are prepared to go to the bitter end in this straggle, and I will undertake to have a motion passed to that effect."

DEPUTATION TO THE ERESfIBR. Wellington, Last 2Hjj&fc Members of the conference waited «n the Prime Minister this afternoon, and speeches wife made on the Uses of those made at the meeting; with member* ot •Parliament in the morning. Mr. Massey, replying, said he had ! practically no fault to find with the I views expressed. As to the request for an early examination of the Second | Division men, he could say the examinations would (be made as early as possible, and the Defence Department would give effect to the (promise lie was making. The important point of all was regarding dopendents. If the men win*, their dependents would he consider*! as, for the time being wards of thd 9**te, and the State would do its duty ta them. The dependents would be looked after. He was glad .o notice that tirt British pensions scheme, the principles of which had been adopted by the «onference, was particufciriy generous, lte« garding the question of financial ability, he could not go into the details at <he moment, but he would say that wtat England was able to do for its soldiers New Zealand 'was able, to do. Parliament would have the question to deal With later in the session, long before tie Second Division was called on to gtt to the front, he hoped. He had always been in favor of pensions by right, but there had been difficulties in the way When New Zealand passed its pension? scheme that scheme was the most gefier ons in the Empire. Since then, often had improved their schemes, and it maj be that New Zealand should revtea iti scheme. Speaking generally, he >wn# ii sympathy with the deputation. He TO not a rich man, but if every stilling h# possessed was needed for the carrying on of the war it would be given 'willingly, and there were tens of thousands more in New Zealand in the same fftme of mind. Mr. Armstrong said they were par-! tieularty anxious that these matters should be settled before the Seccmd Division was called nip. \.<Ji'., Mr. Massey: 1 don't; *hink' theW'ts any doubt about that. I will do) my best in, that direction, but I csfinot make a definite promise.

BtHtTHER RBSOLUT3DOMB. "That financial assistance* gnurfect by the Financial Board shontl fa extended to include the liabilities of the wife of a reservist where living wijk hetSusband." "Thai in tbe event of a soldier fofai; declared mining or MDed tfas allotments and separation allowances be continual until the ipension is granted." , "That the conference urge on the Government that the (provisions of the Financial Aid Department be extended to the widow 0 f deceased soldiew by carrying out the financial aid as rotate® to mortgages and rates as by rigWv&w allowance to be made if Hfe policy is paid." "iSingle disabled soldiers after; marriage to receive all 'benefits seeming to married soldiers." "That allocated pay and allowances shall not foe affected !by misconduct of soldier." y "That a ration allowance of 2s <td per day be paid to all soldiers, whether married or single, while on final leave.", •'That allowances 'be paid monthly, commencing from the time a soldier leaves, for camp." "That the Government shall pay a soldier's obligations as defined in the War Regulations of January 16, IM7, provided the amount incurred does not exceed £2 a week." "That the Government be asked to provide all business men on. active service with an official sign to display on his business premises, to indicate that ihe is serving at the front." "That no person of military age be permitted to enter the Dominion and take up positions vacated by New Zealanders calleiffor service." "That the State should pay for medical and dental services for dependents of Boldiers while on active service, and urge the Government that arrangements should be made immediately with the British Medical Association, the Dental Association, and the New ZealanfcTrained Nurses' Association to give effect to this remit." Tbe thirty shillings allowance for soldiers' suits does not find favor with the Second Division League. They resolved to ask for :£5.