SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 September 1917, Page 4

SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE.

RESOLUTIONS 'PASSTD. Wellington, Sept. 28. . The possibility of men' from other countries coming to New Zealand and taking up the positions of men on active service was again discussed by the Second Division Conference this morning. The conference decided to rc-affirm the request of the loague that a measure be brought down providing' that no person of military age be permitted to enter New Zealand to take up the positions of New Zealanders called up for service. When a question was asked in the House Sir James Allen replied that it was not considered necessary to introduce such legislation. This reply, was strongly criticised. ' \ ■ -

The conference re-affirmed the manifest injustice to women and children in being deprived of ,their source of income owing to some military offence committed by the soldier on whom they are dependent, aiul also decided again to urge tho Government to devise, nieaa) whereby a soldier's Widow may 'iioti-'un-der the terms of a mortgage 'be compelled to sell her home.

There wag considerable discussion on the question of a Second Division Reservist having at least three .months' notice after the medical examination before being requested to go into camp. The conference was srongly of opinion .that effect be given to such request by statute and not by regulation, but eventually it was decided to urge that the regulation to give three months' notice could not be altered without the full authority of the Cabinet.

The conference considered a motion to the effect that if financial difficulties stand in the way of granting the league's demands re allowances and pensions the Government should take immediate s,teps to legislate providing that no person in New Zealand shall receive a net income of more than £SOO per annum. The supporters of tho motion, which was trenchantly worded, said its object was to obtain equality of sacrifice. Ministers had stated that the country, could not afford the great demands, oi the conference and should accept the, challenge, as the country was in a position to pay the amounts asked if a firm stand was taken.

After discussion, m which several speakers expressed themselves very vigorously, the drafting of the motion was submitted to a sub-committee. LIMITING INCOMES TO £SOO. Wellington, Last Night, The following is the text of the resolution moved at the Second Division League conference by Mr. T. Buxton (Temuka), seconded by Mr. H. F. Toogood (Fcatherston): "That this meeting of the Natinal Federation of the Second Division Leagues of New Zealand urges upon the National Government the equity and justice of its demands in the matter of allowances and pensions, as placed before Ministers by the deputation yesterday, and contends that if financial difficulties stand in the way of granting the demands that the Government tak» immediate steps to put on the Statute Book legislation providing that no person in New Zealand shall receive a net income of over £SOO per annum until the war ends. That this meeting contends that the strong arm of the law that can reduce the net income of the Second Division soldier, and has the power to lay hands upon him, and take him away from his w'ife and children, can, with greater justice, deal with the pay ( of a man who remains at home in compara tive luxury and safety. By such action being taken, this meeting of delegates is of opinion that it would be an expression at least in a small degree of willingness to accept the equality of sacrifice which is so much flouted and so little practised; such legislation to apply to all salaries. Further, that th)B conference respects the position of the unfit men who will not be called upon for service, who are quite prepared to. come under the scope of this resolution, if no other means of raising the required money can be made available."

EQUALITY OF SACRIFICE,

REVISED PAYMENTS TO WIDOWS. Wellington, Last Niglit. The Second Division conference re* solved unanimously: "That this conference of the National Federation of New Zealand Second Division Leagues urges emphatically upoir. the Government the equity and justice of the league's demands in the matter of provision for soldiers and their dependents, and the application of equality of sacrifice to all sections of the community, and deplores and disagrees with the Ministerial statement that the necessary taxation will imperil the financial stability of the Dominion; and further, holds that the Government must, in carrying on New Zea* land's part in the war, face as a war measure the responsibility of applying the principle of equality of sacrifice down to the level wlych that principle demands, and circumstances render necessary.

A committee which waited upon the Minister reported that the amounts payable to widows will be increased from 10s to 15s, under which arrangement the scale will be:

Widow without child, £2 5s per week. Widow with one child, £3 2s (id per week.

Widow with two children, £3 10s per week.

Widow with three children, £3 17a 6<f per week. Widow with four children, '£4 .jet week. It was decided to ask the Government to insert a provision in the Bill making the pensions payable to men from the date of their first parade, and in the case of death, to the wife and children. The conference adjourned.