BUILDING A NATION

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22635, 14 February 1939, Page 13

BUILDING A NATION

*0 m BDITOB or TH* PBXM Sir, —It appears to me that just now is not the time to raise political-party strife. We have too much bitter feeling between the political parties of this fair country. There is a small section of the electors who think, that Mr Savage and the Labour Party are going to save the country. There is another section of the electors -who think that the country is going to be condemned to perdition by Socialistic activities. But there is a much larger section of the people who are simply passively waiting for results; and it is to this section, the great balance of power, who now swing to the one side and tO-morrow swing back to the other sid'- that I address these few lines. We want less party, less desire for individual political advancement, but rather a strong determination to steer the political ship away from party interests and in the direction of the good and well-being of the people as a whole. What this country needs is a powerful organisation of electors, united in the cause of-God, King, and Country, pledged to do all in their power for the good of the British Empire in general and New Zealand in particular; to secure sane and honourable representative government for New Zealand, the maintenance of the full liberty of the subject, suppression of any disloyal and immoral elements, the abolition of machine politics by amendment of the Electoral Act to provide for preferential voting, no preselection of candidates, no caucus, but discussion of all questions in open Parliament, all members to be allowed a free hand to vote as they think best, under no obligation to any party. And we need the establishment of a strong defence policy. I am convinced that much good could- come ■ to New Zealand by the formation of an electors’ association* and I suggest that a suitable name ’ .would bq the Advance New Zealand

League. The membership fee should be, say, Is annually, and members should be recruited without regard to political views, provided that they would agree to do their utmost to promote the welfare and success of the league.—Yours, etc., . R. T.. WILLAN. ' Rangiora, February 11, 1939.