THE SECOND DIVISION.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1917, Page 4

THE SECOND DIVISION.

SODDIERS' PENSIONS AND 'ALLOWANCES. (Our Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Sept. 11. The delay in the announcement of the Government's intentions regarding pom. sions and allowances was the subject oi a question put to the Minister for Da-, fence (Sir James Allen) by Mr. J. Craigia (Timaru) this afternoon. The Division men, said Mr. Craigie, were very, anxious to know what provision th<» Government intended to make for them, and did not think it right that tha should proceed without thq an? nouncemenfc being made. The Minister, in reply, said he hoped to introduce the legislation dealing with' pensions within the next fortnight. Ha would make a statement at the sam« time regarding pay and allowances, which cxiuld be dealt with by regulatiqni' without legislation. The* Pension# BiH could be passed within a week aftur; ita introduction. The first ballot in the Saei ond Division could not take place until the end of October, if not later, owing to the non-completion of the classified tion. ; '

The Minister added that he Was.. nob prepared to make a definite statement regarding the Second Division. Ho had said already that the first batch at married men would not he taken intot camp until .January. The statement might have<to be modified. The examination of Second Division men before the ballot was not possible. The ballot, was- being put forward so thut thero would be an interval of threß ©tjdi* between ballotting and mobilisation. A, Second Division man could secure immediate examination by volunteering, iThe arrangements that were being mada Would provide for the speedy examination of men after the ballots.

A ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE,

Wellington, Yesterday. A Wellington telegram states that a meeting of members of Parliament was addressed by a delegation from the Second Division that an effort will be made to get & round table conference between members, of Parliament and the Ministry.