SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1918, Page 4

SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE.

THE CAUSE OF DISSATISFACTION. M.iNIFESTO BY EXECUTIVE Australian Cable Association. Wellington, .Last Night. The executive of the Second Division LeagiKi this evening decided to issue the following manifesto:— That the National Executive of the Second Division League, having promptly expressed its disapproval of the recent liappenings in Cliristchureh, desire to call public attention to the fact that the dissatisfaction among reservists has been cue entirely to the policy of drift adopted by the Government. The concessions made to long-standing and continued requests ior adequate conditions have been wrung from the Government purely as the result of the organised efforts &nd convincing arguments of the league. If those provisions are right now they were also right at the session of 1917, when the poweM of the caucus were used to prevent Parliament carrying them into effect. The league asks the public to realise that if the dissatisfaction that now exists among a section of the community to the extent as was recently demonstrated at Christchurch, how much greater and more universal would have been the dissatisfaction and consequent disorganisation at this critical time, had the league not organised and forced the authorities to grapple with the many problems affecting the calling up of the Second Division? To this extent the league has benefited not only soldiers and t'icir dependents but the community as a whole, and has saved the Government from that awkward position to which their policy of drift was unquestionably leading. In response to numerous requests from leagues, it was decided to hold a Dominion conference in Wellington on Maj ■22.

CHRISTCHUROH EXTREMISTa LOYAL SECTION HIVE OFF. Christchurch Last Night. A reneral meeting of members of the Christchurch Second Division Leaguo was held to-night to discuss the future policy of the league. Mr. H. T. Toogood, o'f the National Executive, presided. During the discussion it transpired that the executive of the Christchurch branch passed a resolution last Friday recommending the National Executive to declare that members of the leagufe wera released from all obligations if the Government did not grant the league's demands by May 31" next- The extremist section of the league at to-night's meeting necured the upper hand and a motion to rescind Friday night's resolution being lost, the loyalists followed the chairman out of the hall. A new chairman was installed and he refused to accept the following motion:—"That we, Second Division Reservists, are prepared to serve under the Military Service Act."

TJie other loyalist members of the executive then resigned, and the meeting broke up.

The outcome, of the happenings will probably bo the formation of a new Second Division League confined exclusively to what are termed the loyalist*

LOYAL ASSISTANCE. IN PROSECUTING THE WAR. ' Carterton, May 3. Al; tlie annual meeting of the Featherston Second Division League last night a resolution was passed that the Government be loyally assisted in prosecuting the war to a victorious issue, and urged to protect all soldiers and dependents from economic disabilities; that .the Financial Assistance Board's grants he made in accordance with scheduled conditions and irrespective of incomo restrictions : that the importance of ;he Government providing an adequate maternity benefit be urged as a solution of the birth-rate problem; that the meeting recognises with satisfaction the concessions secured and regrets that Parliament was permitted to subordinate % claims of soldiers and their dependents, especially as the Dominion finance is hi a state of buoyancy. The members supported the calling of a national con« fere nee. /

RESOLUTIONS AT BLENHEIM. Blenheim, Last Night. A crowded meeting of the Second Division League put its ease before Mr. R. MeAUum, M.P., who was subjected to considerable hectoring. Subsequently strong resolutions were carried, express, mg dissatisfaction at Mr. McAHum's replies and no confidence in him as the representative of the electorate, and calling on tlie national executive to organise a demonstration throughout New, Zealand demanding a general election. With reference to the Premier's com- ; meuts on the Christchurch incident, a resolution was passed deprecating any attempt to make capital out of the not. and so prejudice the just claims of the league. AUCKLAND MEN'S FINE EXAMPLE. Auckland, May 2, The first Ibatch of Second Division met leave for camp this afternoon. At the parade this morning the spectatars were impressed by the exceptionally fine appearance of tlie men- The. offiier commanding gave a brief address, anc. expressed his pleasure at their general behaviour. He was loudly cheered by the men on parade. Altogether it was quite a pleasing incident in view of tbe Christchurch disturbance. OAMARU RESOLUTIONS. Oamaru, Last Night. At a largely-attended meeting of the North Otago branch of the Second Division League held this evening the following resolutions were carried unanimously: "That this meeting of the North Otago branch of the Second Division League reaffirms its former resolution demanding that the league proposals already placed before the Government be given effect to; That, the Government haying failed in its duty by refusing to grt.nt the just and reasonable demands made for more adequate separation al-lo-svances for the wives of soldiers while the latter are on active service, this league requests the national executive "' to immediately convene a conference of leagues from all parts of New Zealand, with a view to deciding upon a united course of action by Second* Division Reservists throughout New Zealand." : j- . ■...'uJWit-