NEW ZEALAND LEGION.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20788, 23 February 1933, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND LEGION.

AIMS OF NEW GROUP. i DR. CAMPBELL BEGG'S STATEMENT. That the aims and objects of the New party, as it is popularly referred to, or the New Zealand Legion, as its proper designation is, are those of fascism was emphatically denied by Dr. Campbell Begg, in a statement made yesterday evening to a representative of "The Press." In support of his denial Dr. Begg quoted from the card of membership of the legion the four ! paragraphs setting forth the objects aimed at by the legion. Dr. Begg also 1 explained those objects in some detail. Dr. Campbell Begg said: "The : published statements that the Legion ' had fascist tendencies, that it , aimed at disfranchising the Civil Ser- , vice, and intended to take advantage i of any disorganisation in the country 1 to advance its own ideals, I emphatic- ' ally deny; they are directly at . variauce with the whole of the i principles of the movement, which, at any rate, is only being presented to the people in diffcmit parts of the country. If fascism was mentioned at the meet- i ing on Tuesday evening it was only ; mentioned to bo condemned, and to em- ! phasiso the fact that the legion could never function except through the uni- ( versal franchise of the people. , "As stated, the movement started on representations made by farmers, business men, and professional men, and representatives of those groups are taking the opportunity to sound public opinion to see whether there is really room for such a movement in, New Zealand at the present time. If opinion is thought to bo contrary to it, the organisation will not bo persisted in. Objects of the Legion. "The objects of the legion are:— "(1) The legion represents an emergency movement to meet a national crisis. "(2) It aims at organising the whole people of New Zealand for the safety and security of tho Dominion. "(3) It proposes, by means of the organised and directed voting power of the people themselves, to secure a government composed of men and women of integritj and intellect, freed from the trammels of sectional pressure, and actuated solely by the motive of patriotic effort for the sake of tho country. "(4) The sole aim.is more efficient government, central and local, and government based on national, not sectional, interests. It is pledged to, and tho whole centre round which it revolves is, loyalty to the King, to the British Empire, and to tho New Zealand constitution. Objects Explained. "It will support loyally any government put into power by the votes of the people, of whatever party this may bo composed; but will aim at uniting all parties, and the whole people, to form a national government whoso only policy will be dealing with tho present crisis in order to restore happiness and prosperity to New Zealand. Any party of this nature, composed of men of singleness of purpose, will be supported, regardless of its political colour, with all the power of'the legion if it comes into definite and permanent being. Unemployment and Possible Insolvency. "Those who are concerned in uniting the people in a national effort cannot bear to stand by and see thousands of unemployed in destitution; they cannot bear to see the prospect of widespread, if not universal, insolvency with the miseries it will bring in its train to all sections of the community; and any man, be his party opinions what they may, who is actuated by similar motives will have its loyal support. "It will oppose to its utmost political opportunism, or any sectional interests, however financially powerful, that try to gain particular benefits for themselves at the expense of the people. Support of tho People Necessary. "Its very existence depends on the support of all the people of all classes. If this cannot bo secured, the New Zealand Legion-will not come into definite being. It is realised that its objects will be the subject of attack by those who are only concerned for tho interests of one particular party, or. section of the community. It thinks that the people are ripe to be told the plain truth, and to be called upon for individual sacrifice in order to restore the country and tho people as a whole to prosperity. The electors are sick of vain promises made by those who solicit their support for their own ends, political or otherwise, and are ready to reject aliko the political opportunist and self-seeker in whatever sphere he may be found, from the highest to the lowest." ORIGIN OF THE SCHEME. EFFORT to sound public OPINION. (PRESS ASSOCIMTIOS TELEOB.ASI.) WELLINGTON, February 22. "Following certain movements among the farming community in different parts of New Zealand, business and professional men were approached a short time ago with a view to uniting all the resources of the country, and obliterating all sectional interests," said Dr. K. Campbell Begg, in an interview by telephone from Christchurch. "At a meeting at which all interests were represented certain proposals were tentatively put forwar<Land became the subject of discussion. The object of these proposals was simply and purely the obliteration of all sec"tional discord in tho Dominion between ' town and country, and between employer and employee, in order to unite *U the yeople of New Zealand to meet ' a national crisis which' seemed to be approaching. As a result of these proposals it was decided to sound the 5 opinion of the country in order to see 1 whether an organisation ou these lines 1 was desirable. It was expected that if ! the movement succeeded it would seeure ' R membership of 400,000 men and > women, representing all shades of re- ' sponsible political opinion. No disL tinction is made in its membership. All parties are eligible. It aims at ' oonosing any unconstitutional action. 5 "While at the present time the coun- " try is being sounded, and opinions from 1 all sides are being taken as to the de- : sirability of sueh an organisation. All the rules and proposal!} are tentative. ' "It has no thought of any political • party—Labour, United, or Biform. Its

banner is largo enough to embrace the large&t employer, the retailer, the farmer, the farm labourer, the workman, and the relief worker, the housewife and the girl who works for her living. " It is a national movement purejy and simply to meet a national crisis and will loyally support any government which ia ruling according to the New Zealand Constitution." Dr. Begg stated that ho was not the promoter of the movement and had no share in it other than that stated—to sound New Zealand in order to ascertain whether the proposals would be considered favourably. I

NEW PARTIES. FOUR FORMED IN THREE MONTHS. Within the last three months no fewer 1 m four political organisations have been formed in the I>°miniou, of which the New Zealand Legion, meetings in connexion Vitti which have been held in Christchurch and other parts of the country during the past few days, is thp latest. The other three, in the order of their formation, are the Heddon .Liberal party, tho All New Zealand party, and the Now Zealand People's Protection party; Both the Beddon Liberal party and the All New Zealand party may be described quite simply as new political parties, since they aim at reconstruction in the government and in the financial affairs of the country on more or less orthodox. Parliamentary lines. Tho Seddon Liberal party proposes to work for the common interests of the middle class and working class on Seddonian lines. It has its headquarters in Auckland and is in strong opposition to the Coalition. Tho All New Zealand party, which was formed in Wellington early tins month, is merely, it has been suggested, a gathering of .the political l! outs" of the moment, and it is reported that it numbers among its members several members of Parliament of the United party and a few of the Reform party. "While details of this party's policy have not yet been fully made public, it is understood that it diverges from that of the Government chiefly upon economic grounds, and it is claimed that the party is prepared to put forward a policy that will bo truly Liberal. The policy of the New Zealand People's Protection party is, at least, unusual. Circulars from Gore, where the party has its headquarters, Were distributed in Christchurch a. few days ago, outlining its proposals, the chief of which are the limiting of all incomes to £SCO a year during the depression, and the reduction of the number of members of Parliament to 35. The exact methods by which these two allegedly desirable ends are to be achieved' have not yet been disclosed.

A letter was received by the Ndrllh Canterbury Hospital Board at its meeting yesterday, enclosing; the annual report of the Wellington Blood Transfusion Service. The service, which is available at nil times, is on a voluntary basis, nnd the Wellington organisation suggested to the board the formation of a similar one in Christchurcb. The suggestion was referred to the hospital committee for a report. •