THE COUNTRY'S PROBLEMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 May 1918, Page 7

THE COUNTRY'S PROBLEMS.

ATTEMPTS AT SOLUTION, MODERATES IN COMMAND OF SECOND DIVISION. (From Our Own Correspondent). Wellington, May 24. The Second Division Conference closed this afternoon with the moderate section still in command. The executive is authorised to call another conference if it thinks this step necessary when the .reply of the Government has been received. But in effect if not in actual word the conference has accepted the anticipated refusal of the Government to pay the Cs a day separation allowance, and as the main body of the League is concerned there is not likely to be any more serious talk of defying the Government or turning to political action. The issues have been faced in committee discussion and reasonable opinion among the delegates has prevailed.

The delegates are going to their homes with a cleat impression that the request for Cs a day allowance will be refused. But they are hopeful of getting some tangible results for their efforts of the past few days. They have pressed upon the attention of Ministers the requests that a proper repatriation scheme shall he adopted and that the basis of the financial assistance scheme shall he a net minimum income for the wife alone of 42s a week instead of 35s as now They believe that they have a good prospect of securing some concession on these points. Some of the delegates came to Wellington with the intention of insisting upon the 6s a day. The wiser heads among them saw that an impasse had been reached when it became known that the Government would not yield on this point. They realised that they could not attempt to force the hands of the Government without getting into a very perilous position indeed. Active resistance to the conscription law was out of the question for loyal men. Passive resistance was equally impossible. It would simply range the Second Division League alongside the anti-mili-tarist, disloyal section of the community. The delegates felt that they could not count upon public sympathy in any course of action that would hamper recruiting. The position from the point of view of the leaders of the conference was difficult, but it was handled skilfully and tactfully. The dangers of precipitate decision and reckless action have been avoided, and if the conference had failed to pet the 6s, it has at least preserved its dignity. The decisions of Cabinet may show that its labors have been by no means in vain. Good educative work was done by the conference, particularly by its committees. Its repatriation scheme is a comprehensive one that la entitled to the consideration of the Government and the public. It is the first constructive scheme that has been put forward. This will take the place of the extra 3s a day for wives, which has been called "the nest-egg," and meant really for the soldiers' repatriation. | Then the land for soldiers' scheme is I another pood attempt to solve a difficult problem. It was Tather a coincidence that the Lands Department had devised almost similar provisions. This was acknowledged by Die Hon. Guthrie on Friday, when an interview with the Second Division delegates took place. He facetiously asked if the delegates had got their scheme from his officers! It is satisfactory to know that the Government are working on the broad, statesmanlike lines proposed by the Second Division. The third constructive scheme brought down by the conference and submitted to the Government was that dealing with the carrying on of businesses of men called to the colors. A good deal of thought had been put into the ■ scheme, and the Government could profitably adopt the principle outlined This constructive work, it was clear, was much appreciated by members of the Cabinet, who can see that the Second Division leaders are inspired by a genuine desire to assist them and the country in this time of crisis in the solution of problems which undoubtedly are bristling with difficulties, and that their work will hring forth good fruit there is no reason to doubt.