THE SECOND DIVISION.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 October 1917, Page 3

THE SECOND DIVISION.

THE GOVERNMENT CON. DEMXEI). Wellington, Oct. 22. A mass meeting was held last night to protest against the failure of the Government to make adequate provision for the Second Division. Two resolutions were carried, each with one dissentient, one disagreeing with the Ministerial statement as to the probabilities of an early peace and urging the Government to refuse to be pressed by the financial interests into any slackening of its duty to the wives and dependents of the soldier; the other expressing strong disapproval of the failure of Parliament to provide adequate separation allowances, and urging the Government to reconsider this and bring down a new scale of (i/- per day for a wife and Is fid for a child as the absolute minimum, enabling them decently to maintain themselves. Long letters were read from Mr. Massoy and Sir Joseph Ward defending the position taken up by the Government.

The former, in reply tn the request to explain his charge that the Second Division was not playing the game, said he referred to the attempt to use political influence and the implied threats in the telegrams and resolutions at public meetings.

Sir Joseph Ward said he had not accused the league of not playing tli6 game,, and dealt at length with the financial situation.

Mr. Armstrong, president of the league, said there had been lfo threat/?, but he believed \i\ arguments. ' He strongly condemned the 'Prime Minister's accusations. They were only attempting to obtain proper provision for their wives and children. They were in the grip of the military system, and onee they were in uniform their voices would be stilled,, as still as members' voices after the famous caucus of October 10. They must make their complaint now.