SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 July 1917, Page 7

SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE.

AN INSTRUCTIVE INTERVIEW. MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT MUCH OBLIGED. What was described by Mr. T, M. Wilt'ord, M.P., as one of the most satisfactory and effective deputations that ha ever visited Parliament Houiic was that from tlie Second Division League which interviewed about fifty members of Parliament on Friday morning. The delegates from the Dominion Conference, which had then been sitting three days, were ".veil chosen for the presentation of the Second Division ease to members of Parliament. The suggestions wliich have been made as a result of the conference were most cogently put by speakers who interested greatly and never wearied, and as Mr. Wilford said at the end he was simply echoing, he was sure, the sentiments of his brother members when

he said that much had fbeori learnt from the deputation, a new light having been thrown on the whole situation. "I have attended many deputations and listened to many speakers," said Mr. Wilford, "but I think it can Ibe unanimously agreed that w-> have never had a deputation which has put its views forward in a clearer way than this one which has so lucidly disclosed the vital problems affecting the members of the Second Division. Although we can give no expression of opinion as to what form of legislation will he the outcome of your conference, I must say that this has been an exceptional deputation—effective and instructive in the utmost degree. I and my fellow-members are exceedingly grateful to the delgation ; from the conference for the instruction which has been given us." This interview to which so much importance was attached iraeant the presentation of the principal remits passed by the Second Division Dominion Conference, which has l>een sitting in Wellington. to members of Parliament. When delegates from the conference and members of both Houses mei together in a committee room in Parliament House on Friday morning, Mr. Wilford was at once voted to the chair, and the conference delegates proceeded to deal with the subjects that had 'been allotted to thorn.

In opening the proceedings Mr. Wilford mentioned that there were G5 dele-

gates at the conference. Then; were !)3 Second Division Leagues already formed in the Dominion, and additional leagues were being constituted, representing altogether about 100,000 men of the division.

The first speaker was >Mr. T. C. List, of New Plymouth, who dealt with the questions of pay and ipensions. The question of soldit-rs' D '.y, the conference thought, should be left entirely to Parliament.. He proceeded to detail the scheme favored by the conference. Respecting pensions for disablement, the conference had approved the principles of the British scheme, because they were just and humanitarian. That Bchctne took into account the pre-war earnings | and pre-war standard of living, and as- | sisted men, not only by money, but in other wave, so that they could ibe restored a' useful members of the community, and back to health. Tho British Act laid down provisions which were absolute. and a man knew bis exact position. Tn Npsv Zealand that was not the case. Here the amount of tho pension was left to the discretion of a board. Here a full allowance for incapacitation was 355, with a 10s allowance for an attepdant.; in England it was £3 15s and £1 for the attendant. Under the British scheme, injuries were scheduled, and a flat rate for injuries provided. In the case of a man whose pension did not amount to liis pre-'war earnings, he could make a claim under an alternative provision based on those earnings. In New Zealand the British scheme had been teimed undemocratic, because it differentiated, hut the scheme was framed largely by Mr. Barnes, the great Labor mem--ber. The scheme was supported iby the conference, because it met the needs more fully and more justly than ?ny other scheme. It aimed at putting men in the same position a® they were in before the war, or as nearly so as possible. It helped men to improve their positions, and did not penalise them for doing so. It helped them t# learn a new trade, and did not penalise them. It helped them to educate and bring up their children. If the man had to be sent to a sanatorium, convalescent home, or hospital, it paid for his treatment and his medicine, and saw that his wife and children did not suffer by his absence. Once a man's disablement reached a final condition no alteration in the pension could be made. In Now Zealand a pension could be reduced or withdrawn altogether by a board. In England the Minister of Munitions said that he would rather increase than decrease the pensions. In England no difference was made between single and married men; the position was taken up that a single man might marry some day, and he should not he penalised because he had been injured at the war. Respecting "unmarried wives," in England the State assumed certain responsibilities for their care, and for the care of their children also, holding that they should not fee turned adrift. The conference wanted to leave as little as possible to the discretion of the Pensions Board.

Members of Parliament: Hear, hear. ■Mr. List eaid that the board iwas composed, as far as he could 94*\ of good men, but they might become officialised. and therefore indifferent and callous to the claims of disabled soldiers. The conference stood for the principle of pension by right. Members: Hear hear. Mr. List: And by schedule. Members: Hear, hear. Mr. List: And we believe this country cannot do enough for the incapacitated

nifn. Members: Hear hear. Mr. Wilford: Fit to fight, lit to pension! Mr. List: Yes, absolutely. Mr. List said that Second 'Division men would be making a heavy sacrifice, even if they got the maximum. They would have to sacrifice farms, businesses, and perhaps homes, and they wanted to be certain that their wives and families would be cared for toy the State as a matter of right and not at the caprice of any board. They therefore wanted Parliament to adapt the principles of the 'British scheme, a pension by right and by schedule, with the increases proportionate to the higher wages and better conditions of living obtaining in New Zealand. (Apiplause). Mr. Toogood (Featherston) said that tihe league aaked for an increased separa--1 lion allowance for "the wife and (or) | Bole dependant." It was a big steip forward, but when Che present rate was •uade married men were not toys called

on to serve. The Second Division was prepared to make its sacrifice, but did not want its families to suffer poverty. They wanted to do their duty, and they could do that only if their minds were contented, and they - -ild not bo eontented if they did ;u now that their families were properly provided for. It had been pointed out that under the British soheme a widow might receive a greater pension than a woman who was not widowed, and therefore had a hueband to keep, in addition to the rest of the family. He would say that it nust be realised that home life mu&t be cept going, and that the death of the husband caused a severe loss to the home. Mr. C. J. Parr, M.P.: What would be the pension for a widow with four children? Mr. Toogood said that he could not answer the question offhand, but the present scheme had been wrong from the start, and there should be no deduction on account of children. Members: Hear, hear. Mr. Toogood: You don't want to discourage an increase in the birth-rate, do you? Members: No.

Mr. Toogood added that a good reason why there should 'be an increase in the allowances was that the cost of living had risen very imuch. Dr. Paterson, South Canterbury, urged the early examination of Second Division men. The British Medical Association considered it possible to carry this out, and was to do its best in the matter. lie urged, also, on behalf of the conference, that the medical examination should be made the deciding factor aa to the State's responsibilities. The conference considered tlr&t the men should ibe able to go away to the war feeling that their dependants wera well cared for. There were three essentials in life: food, clothing, and medical attendance. He hoped Parliament would give them these things, and then the men would figlit more whole-heartedly. Ho suggested that Parliament should take steps to ameliorate economic conditions, so as not to imperil the future of the nation by discouraging a high birthrate. ■Mr. T. B. Slipper (Wanganui) said that the conference realised that their demands were going to cost something, but reckoned that the country could well afford to stand the expense. This was no ordinary time. They were looking through the gates of death to the great eternity, and if they were not, the Government had no warrant for calling

on them. When people looked through the gates of death they adjusted their

glasses. The dependants of many men would have to make big sacrifices; other people, very wealthy, could have large sums taken from them, and yet have made no (sacrifice. If £6OOO was taken from a £IO,OOO man he would still have

£SOOO left. Mr. James Craigie, M.P.: He would have made no sacrifice. Mr. Slipper said that the time had arrived for the Government to take a. bold stand in this matter. He believed that weafiSY people would not abject, but while the Government remained inactive none would give, because of the possibility of others sitting tight. Mr. B. J. Dolan (Napier) brought further resolutions of the conference to the notice of the gathering. Referring to the resolution .proposing tie enfranchisement of all soldiers on service, he said that the conference looked on this as an insurance of men's rights, and a check on 'any Government —a check which j would enable the wants of soldiers to be properly looked after. He came from a country that had caused considerable trouble to the -Empire—and also to the Germans. (Laughter). He bad spent twenty-five years in this country, and was convinced that he should go as a soldier of Neiw Zealand, but, if he sacrificed his life for New Zealand, he expected New Zealand to extend fullest sympathy and care to 'his dependants. ■Mr. R. A. Armstrong, president of the conference, declared that the first clause in the constitution of the league stated that the league would assist the Government in regard to the war. In mentioning this to the Minister the other day, he had added "consistent with our duty to our dependants," for the first law of nature was for a father to protect his children and the woman _ he married. The conference was constituted by men of all shades of political color and social standing. -He did not think there were many men of the Second Division who were not prepared to go if the duty devolved on them—certainlv not one belonging to their organisation. A matter needing immediate attention was the alteration of the regulation which reduced the military pensions of old age pensioners. The conference would not ma&c exorbitant demands, but they wanted, as of right, adequate provision for their families. Mr. Wilford said that the speeches had been clear and instructive, and had impressed (members more than had any deputation in his experience, and be moved a vote of thanks to the speakers. This was carried by acclamation. Mr. A. S. Malcolm, M.P., moved that Mr. Wilford should be their permanent chairman, and with the Whips (Messrs. Guthrie and Forbes) form a channel of communication to the Government. He suggested -also that there should be a round-table conference iwith the Prime Minister, the Minister of 'Finance, and the Minister of Defence. The motion wae carried unanimously.

PENSIONS BY RIGHT. ' HOW IT WILL OPERATE. SOME ILLUSTRATIONS. On Friday evening the Second Division Conference made important alterations in their suggested pensions scheme. The alterations leave the scheme as follow: 'BASIC PRINCIPLES OF PENSION SOEHME. (1) To place incapacitated men and their dependants in approximately their pre-war position. ' (2) Inducing incapacitated men to improve their positions without penalising them. (3) Care of incapacitated soldiers and dependants.

Where injuries are not scheduled, pension to be at nearest approximate rate. CHILDREN'S ALLOWANCE. A flat rate of 10a Cd per child; to oaks $o «ga Xli unmarried females, 20.

ALTERNATIVE PENSIONS. Any disabled man pensioned under the above, who makes application, and shows that the minimum pension with children's allowances (if any) which have been granted, together iwith the average earnings (if any) of which he remains capable, are less than lijs pre-war earnings, may 'be granted, temporarily or permanently, in lieu of the minimum pension and children's allowances, a pension which, together with the average earnings (if any) of which he is judged capable, shall not exceed his pre-war earnings up to a maximum of 75b per week, plus half of any pre-war earnings between 75s and 150s per week. N..B.—TTie idea is to enable disabled men and their dependents to enjoy as nearly as possible their pre-war standard of living, up to a stated maximum.

SERVICES O<F AN ATTENDANT. Where a disabled man requires an attendant, an allowance of BOs weekly shall be made as a pension for this purpose.

SPECIAL (BENEFITS. Allowances to be given to men to bring their pensions up to those for the highest degree of disablement, and to enable them to keep their wives and families (if they have to live apart from them during treatment at sanatoria, etc., or while being trained for vocations). All fees involved to be paid by the State, and in the ease of training, a sum at t)he rate of 7s 6d a week to be given to a man for the period of its duration as a bonus, at the end of it.

CAPITALISING SMALL PENSIONS. In the case of slight injuries, and in certain other cases (such as neurasthenia patients) a gratuity up to £3OO to be provided. Gratuity to compensate for financial losses to men discharged from camp ; men medically rejected from camp after having 'been sent in, and whose unfitness is neither attributable to, nor aggravated' by, their service, to receive gratuity (with a limit, say, of £2 - 2J) to be assessed according to the financial loss incurred through being called into camp. If a man declines to undergo treatment medically certified to he in his interests, half of any pension iw%ich he would otherwise be eligible for may 'bo Withheld from him. A permanent pension) however, must not be altered to hi? disadvantage. The following are examples of the working of tihe Pension by Hijjht and Schedule Scheme as it is proposed by the conference it should hi applied to New Zealand:— ■

In the case of a totally disabled man, a single man is treated as a married man.

There is first a fkt rate and also an altternative rate. Under the flat rate: — ! £ s. d. The totally disabled or under schedule the 100 per cent. man gets 2 1 3 For each dhild . ■ •..... •> • 10

'£2 11 9 Minimum man one child, £2 lis 9d. Two children, £3 2s 6d. Three children, £3 13a. Four children, £4 3s fid. Alternative rate enabling him to claim pre-war earnings or proportion thereof: —lf desired, in preference, or flat rate under twhich no allowance is made for children, ho may claim up to £3 153. without deductions on proved pre-war earnings. Men getting pre-war earnings of £3 15s will receive £3 15s. Men T getting £4 will get £3 15s, plus half the difference between £3 15s, and £4 (2s 8d) —£3 17s 6d. Men gettting £5 will get £3 15s, plus half the difference between £3 15s and £5 (12 «d)—£4 7s Gd. Men gettings £6 will get £3 lCs, plus £1 12s— £5 7s 6d. Men getting £7 10s will get £3 15s plus £1 17s fid —£5 12s 6d. This is the maximum allowance.

MJRTHER RESOLUTIONS. It was resolved: "That this conference of delegates from the Second Division League established throughout the Dominion affirms the principle of carrying on Xew Zealand's part in the war to" the end provided the principle of equality of sacrifice be applied by legislation to the whole (community. That a, committee of five should lie sot up tor the purpose of arranging the best means of organising the league. A committee 'brought forward a report on the ibasic principles of pension scheme. On its recommendation alterations were made as follows:—The children's rate wa r increased from 7s Od to 10s Od. In the case of death pensions a reduction was made in the case of a widow without children from £2 12s fid to £2 5s tfd. In the case of a widow with children ft reduction was agreed to from £3 3a to £2 16s. The proposals were on the lines of the British scheme with a 50 per cent, increase. That solders get a complete equipment on leaving camp. That married soldiers get preference In ballots for land.

That a committee be set up to draft 11 rational constitution to be submitted to all leagues and that meanwhile our political business be in the hands of a consultative committee of provincial representatives in conjunction with the Wellington executive and that in matters of urgency arising out of things within the administration of this conference the Wellington Executive have power to act. That this conference affirms that in no circumstances should reservists be graded by private or semi-official persons, but all ballots should be taken under the present system, and all exemptions except on the ground of physical unfitness should be granted only by a Military Service Board. That the Government be urged to devise means consistent with the rights of the mortgagee whereby the 'widow of a deceased soldier being the owner of a mortgaged home shall not be compelled to sell the home." It was further resolved: "That the whole question of aliens in New Zealand be referred to the executive with a recommendation from the conference that action be taken.

MINIMUM FLAT RATE OF PENSIONS £ s. d. 100 per cent, incapacitated ..213 80 „ „ „ 1 13 0 '70 „ „ , 1 8 10* 60 „ „ „ n» 1 4 8 50 „ j, „ rr.i 1 1 7i 40 „ „ „ M 6J SO „ „ „ 12 44 20 J, „ ,, 8 3