N.Z. LEGION.

Auckland Star, Issue 111, 13 May 1935, Page 5

N.Z. LEGION.

YOUTH MOVEMENT?

REORGANISATION PLANNED.

CONFERENCE THIS WEEK.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

day.

The story of the New Zealand Legion as recently told by a Wellington writer, who pictured the failure of its ambitions and its early demise, was contradictcd at headquarters, but does not appear to be far from the truth. Investigation of the position discloses that the legion, as originally launched into a fairly appreciative atmosphere, has lost most of its original supporters, and will not continue on the lines made familiar to the public. There is to be a national conference of the legion executive in Wellington this week, when it is expected that the existing constitution of the legion will be drastically overhauled and considerably curtailed, with the object of providing a more definite and constructive political programme. Tliis, no doubt, will meet with strong objection from a section of the earlier supporters of the legion, but the anticipation is that the movement, after a thorough internal revolution, will make another public effort, mainly with the support of younger inen. It is to be replanned, so it is reported, as a "youth movement." Under New Leadership. Dr. Campbell Begg, who lias been the head and front of the legion, contributing invaluable organising service gratuitously, is refusing the oflice of president, so that by the end of the week there will be a new head to the legion. Its organisation will almost certainly come under the control of those who wish it to take a' positive part in the coming general election, and although

the policy of the new element, so far as detail is concerned, is not yet disclosed, it can be predicted that it will advocate radical changes in national finance, and land policy. Local body reform, on which the old legion has been so insistent, is also likely to reappear in the new platform. These developments, it is thought, will not altogether disappoint Dr. Campbell Begg, whose speeches have generally indicated a fairly radical tendency in relation to some outstanding questions, but he will cease to be the active public factor in the organisation. Educative Work. The comparative failure of the original movement must be a great disappointment to its leader after the enthusiastic services he rendered to the legion, which resulted in the enlistment of a large number of citizens who had been indifferent to political questions. Under the stimulus of the legion they were induced to consider national problems seriously, and if many of these early supporters have fallen away from the legion, it may be regarded as some tribute to those politicians who, during particularly difficult times were taking the responsibility of action. Investigation has probably made many people realise that there are no novel remedies for major problems, but that they have to be handled by the slow method of detailed inquiry and careful experiment. Dr. Begg in the recent municipal elections refused nomination for any local body, including the Wellington Hospital Board, as a member of which he bad instituted a number of reforms. Apart from his public activities lie is a busy professional man, having a practice as a consulting surgeon, with close relations with national _ and international surgical associations, as well as being a prolific author on surgical SU The tS fate of the legion depends on this week's conference. If it approves the line of action indicated above it may secure another lease of life, but the legion under its original constitution may be regarded as one of the many wrecks which scatter the political track in the Dominion.