THE SECOND DIVISION.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 May 1918, Page 2

THE SECOND DIVISION.

' RAHOTU. (Prom Out Own Correspondent). A meeting of the Second Division League was held in the Rahotu Hall on Monday evening. A good number attended. Mr. T. P. Hughson, Sm\, (chairman) moved the following resolution: ''That this branch of the Second Division League, while thanking the Government for meeting the League's claim regarding children, re-aflitms tho necessity of increasing the separation allowance of wives of soldiers to (is per day." There was quite a difference of opinion over the question of separation allowance that should be given wives of men being called for service.

Mr. I?. Taylor moved an amendment that the present rate be increased by 18 per day, making the allowance to wives 4s per day, and spoke very strongly in favor. On being put to the meeting the amendment,was hist. Most of those present had something to say in favor or against the resolution, and for those who were too bashful to speak, well, the unbashful spoke, time and again for them. . The chairman allowed a very free discussion, and was in fairly good form himself. Several questions that were asked could not be answered by the chairman, owing to not having the necessary information by him. One of the questions asked was what amount of money would be required per year, to pay the extra increase asked for of 3s per day to thij A B. C. Class of the second division men's wives, also to the wives of men who are at present fighting?

The following resolution was also carried: "That in view of the altered conditions of the war, the (Government be called upon to review the 8000 odd exemptions of fit men granted to date, with a view to exemptions only being granted to those engaged in essential food production and war work; also to show energy and determination in so organising industry that militarily unfit men of tlie First and Second Divisions bo trained to take the places of fit exempted men, also that retired farmers throughout the Dominion be organised to release fit men from farms." A good number of new members joined tlie League. [Replying to the question asked, the grant of the 3s would, it is estimated, entail an extra expendifure of about a million sterling. As allowances are paid out of loan the actual burden on the Consolidated Fund through the 3s addition to allowances to wives would at five per cent. (4J interest, J per cent sinking fund) be £50,000 a year, or Is per head of the population-—-Ed.]