SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 May 1918, Page 4

SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE.

MANIFESTO BY TIIF 'JiXKCfTIViC. SEDITIOUS VIEWS DEPLORED. BRANCHES ASKED TO OPPOSE EXTREMISTS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. At a full meeting of the National Executive of the Second Division League here to-day, the following resolution was adopted: —"Whereas, at a public meeting held at Wiristchurch on ■ Sunday night an amendment hostile to the Second Division League's constitution was passed, the National Executive of the Federation of Second Division Leagues desire to assert that the original motion placed before the meeting by the chairman of the Christchiirch Second Division League is the only opinion which is supported by the Federation. The National Executive also whilst fully determined to use all constitutional means to press the fair and just claims of the Second Division League on behalf of all dependents of soldiers, deplores the seditious views expressed i n the" amendment carried at the public meeting at Christchurch on Sunday evening last, which they feel only represents the views of a small section of the public throughout the Dominion.

"The National Executive recognises t'lio responsibility of the Second Division reesfvists, not only to their dependents, but also to the State and to the men who are so nobly fighting to-day. "The National Executive calls upon all branches of the league to oppose any attempt by extremists to secure control, which could only result in jeopardising the further efforts of the league to secure the full rights of soldiers and dependents, and tfie secretary be instructed to write to the chairman of the Christchurch branch (Mr. Greeson), asking him to maintain his position, as the amendment was entirely unconstitutional and does not amount to a vote of no confidence."

j A SPIRITED MANIFOTO. BY THE PREMIER. AN APPEAL FOR HELP TO VICTORY. Wellington, Last Night. Mr. Massey states The occurrences in Christehurch arc greatly to be deplored, anil I am confident they will be regretted by the loyal, right-thinking people from one end of New Zealand to the other. I am glad to think that the sentiments expressed in the motion carried on Monday evening are being repudiated by the president of the Second Division League and several of the Canterbury members. From communications that have reached me this evening, I know that many Second Division reservists are thoroughly and heartily ashamed of what some of their numbers are reported to be associated with.' 'I know there is a small, but noisy, section of the community who, right from the commencement, have been opposed to New Zealand doing its full share in the war, but, surely, if they look for a moment at what is liappeHing on the West front thsy will see where the duty of every loyal citizen lies. As an Empire, we are in death-grips with a most powerful and at the same time, cruellest and most unscrupulous l military power the world has ever known. We are fighting for our lives, and to prevent the possibility of this fair country of ours experiencing what France and Belgium have experienced- Surely, no patriotic citizen will suggest that we should hide behind America, Britain, or any part of the British Dominions.

What we have done is small as compared. with what the citizens of several European countries, or even Britain itself, 'has ibeen called upon to do. Aa loyal citizens, tlierc is only one course open for us, and that is to make the winning of the war the supreme object of our lives and to place in the scales every ounce of effort that it is possible to bring to hear. Our law of cotapulsory military service is no respecter of persons, for high or low, rich or poor, must obey it. As for the provision intended to he made, for the dependents of soldiers, it may not Satisfy the whole of our people, but, in spite of anything, that may he said to the contrary, there is no other country in the worid/that has made such liberal provision, in the way of pensions and allowances for its fighting men' and dependents as has been made by New Zealand. Additional evidence of this has been given to-day, when ten thousand of our married men have .already responded to the Empire's call and from them no word of complaint has come for the fair fame of New ZeaJand.

For the saike of the Empire and race, for the sake of those who have already given their lives in the great cause for which we are fighting, and for everything that makes life worth living, I appeal to the citizens of the Dominion who can help in the war, to assist the men who are fighting for us, and to carry on until the warcloud has passed awav and peace come once more to the civilised world.

MASS MEETING OF WOMEN. FARCICAL PROCEEDINGS. DR. THACKER BLOCKED. Christclmrcli, Last Night. The checking of figures late to-night by the Defence officers bliows that of the Christchurch draft of the 41st Reinforcements there are now only 18 men unaccounted for. These IS comprise six members cf the Second Division. A mass meeting of women, called to protest against the Government's refusal to increase the allowance to the wives of Second Division men, was held in the Choral Hall to-night, there being a moderate attendance. In the early stages of the meeting the proceedings took a lively tone, Dr. Thacker moved that the meeting sfhould form a Soldiers' Dependents' League. Mrs. R. D. Martin immediately rose, and moved that a petition should .be circulated calling on members of Parliament to resign and go to the country for a general election. In responds to a query from the chairman as to whether slis were seconding

Dr. Thacker's resolution, (he speakei declared that the meeting was i> woman's meeting, and that men were not entitled to speak at it. Several men here attempted to speak; but were .cried down, and xMrs. Martin's resolution was curried. Dr. Thacker: That only strengthens my resolution! A lady member of the audience then assured Dr. Thacker that the women could run their own affairs, and, after some consultation with the chairman, IDr. Thacker withdrew liis motion. ; Upon the eliairuiau calling for questions, half of the audience rose to speak, and some very divergent views, few of them bearing upon the original object of the meeting, were expressed. A man: I- propose that this meeting of Christchureh women demand a referendum before taking our "husbands" from "us." (Uproarious laughter.) The resolution was seconded and carried. Another man: I move that Mrs. Maitin take the chair. After some discussion, Mrs. Martin took the chair and a collection was taken up. A Dunedin visitor, a conscientious objector, then addressed the meeting. After considerable delay, a committee was elected to deal with the resolutions carried.

The wire appearing in yesterdays issue calling on the Second Division reservists not to leave for camp until the demands of the Second Division were • conceded and calling upon the Government to design, emanated from Christchureh, not Wellington, as was printed. Oliristchurch is noted for its cranks and firebrands who appear to have taken temporary charge of the Second Division reservists there.

A_\ T AUCKLAND RESOLUTION. 1 Auckland, Last Night. The Auckland Second Division: League Executive passed a resolution to' the effect that it declined to accept as final the increased separation allowances announced by the Minister, and reiterated the -demand for 6s a day allowance for wives, the soldier's deferred pay to be held by the Government until his discharge. The executive also passed a resolution that the league considered that the principle on which exemption had been granted should be reconsidered, with a view to making physical fitness the sole test for active service, and it was essential that the Government adhere to its promise to give reservists three months' notice before entering camp.