"SHACKLED."

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 70, 24 March 1933, Page 7

"SHACKLED."

MINISTERS' PLIGHT. ■ j NEW ZEALAND LEGION'S AIM. « POLITICAL SMQOGERS." (Ry Telegraph. —Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Support for the New Zealand Legion was promised by those who attended a large and representative meeting held in Christchurch, at which Dr. Campbell Bcgg, the originator of the movement, explained the aims and objects of the Jegion. There were more than 80 present, including many well-known city business men, farmers from outlying districts, and members of the legion. Mr. S. G. Holland, president of the Christchurch Citizens' Association, was in the chair. Addresses were given by Dr. Begg and Mr. John Macgibbon. Dr. Begg was of the opinion that the whole of"the personnel of the present House was honest in its endeavours, but the continual heckling and worrying of the electors prevented Ministers putting through legislation in the form in which it would be passed if they had only a broad national viewpoint to consider. He said the object of the legion was to sweep away the shackles which prevented legislators from giving effect to their real intentions. It was absolutely necessary that the- functions of the Government in respect to parochial matters should be decentralized, so that Cabinet Ministers should not be worried about the need for a bridge "over a creek" or a boundary fence a rabbit board. Mr. S. G. Holland pointed out that under the present political system a member had to be particularly careful if he wished to secure any advancement in his own party, and the consequence was that New Zealand had bred a team of "political smoogers," who had to keep on side with their leaders in order to make their future secure. At the conclusion of the meeting practically the whole audience signed membership cards.