THE SECOND DIVISION.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1918, Page 4

THE SECOND DIVISION.

THE OIIiIISTCBUiRCH RESOLUTION ' QUESTION OP PROSECUTION K® SEDITION. . By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, May 1. The resolution passed at the meeting of the Ohristehurch Second Division League on Sunday night .is, in the opinion of several members of the Government,' seditious in its tendency. The resolution has consequently been referred to the Attorney-General for his opinion. PRESIDENT INTERVIEWED. Gtebome April 30. Mr. Armstrong, National president oi the Federated Second Division League, who is on a visit to Gisbome, interviewed regarding the demonstration* at Christchurch, said the press massage was the only information he had to go upon. It was necessary to maike it quite clear to the people of New Zealand that the league must not be held in any way responsible for the reported riotous behaviour. That happening, however, he said, could not be judged as anything other than the outcome of a genuine outburst of public feeling. The history of the civilised world showed that a public demonstration of a more or less severe character inevitably came with the exhaustion of public patience, following the failure of the people's Parliament to secure justice. It was also necessary to realise that the demonstration was not against the principle of service but against what was regarded as unjust conditions of service. The recent meeting at Christchurch at which » strongly-worded resolution was carried, was apparently an open public meeting held under tho auspices of the Christchurch league. Without going into the merits of the case, it was necessary to state that any resolution carried at such a meeting could not be regarded as committing the league in any way. The general policy of the league could only be determined by the actual members, through their accredited representatives at the Dominion Conference. Mr Armstrong concluded by saying that the announcement of a further in" crease of the separation allowances for children, and Tietter conditions for widowed mothers was another milestone on the league's road to adequate conditions of service. It now remained for the Government to remove from the wife's shoulders the all-too-lieavy burden of providing for her husband's return. This could be done by increasing the wife's allowance to (Is per day and holding the whole of the soldier' 3 deferred pay until his return. UNITED ACTION'URGfiD.

1 Masterton, May 1. At a meeting of the Masterton Second Division League last night the following resolution was carried.unanimously: 'That the Government, having failed in its dvfty by refusing to grant the just arid reasonable demands made for adewives of soldiers .while the latter are on active service, this league' requests the National Executive immediately to convene a conference of leagues from all parts of New Zealand with a view to deciding upon a united course of action by the reservists throughout the Dominion. WANGANUI DRAFT FAREWELLED. Wanganui, May 1. The first draft of married men comprising the Wanganui quota of the 41st Reinforcements proceeded to camp by ■this morning's train. A large crowd of the public assembled to see the men off. Bands were playing, and there was much enthusiasm. The draft turned up to a man, and was given a gTeat sendi ofl ' COST OF NEW ALLOWANCES. Wellington, May 1. The Minister of Defence states that 1 the new scale of allowances to soldiers' children will cost £104,941 per annum. Cabinet has decided that the additional sixpence per day given to children not be considered by trie Financial Board w)iTin making advances. The additional grants for widowed of soldiers now serving will amount *to £17,062, making, with the present allowance, £30,712 per annum. This sum is likely to be largely increased owing, to widowed mothers becoming eligible, but by how muek it ia impossible to estimate.