THE LEGION'S POLITICS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 34, 9 August 1933, Page 6

THE LEGION'S POLITICS

(To.the Editor.) Siiy^-I have followed the Legion move-' bient for some time. After ntudying the statements that have been made torn the public platform and that have been issued from tho National Council, I question very seriously whether all the effort, time, and money that must inevitably be expended in such a movement will not be wasted due to the lines along which they are proceed'"xho Legion seeks to abolish party politics. Two facts stand out in regard to this idea. Firstly, the Legion's candidates at the next election in the eyes of the public will be members of a group or party whose platform is to carry out (jOVern.ment reform, and if elected these members will continue to be recognised as a party out to achieve a particular object. Secondly, I submit that the Legion, even supposing it succeeds in establishing a PaiHaliient of independent representatives, is asking too much of humaii nature at its present stage of evolution to expect these independents to avoid falling into, groups over matters of contentious legislation. In all human activities there haveTjeen gi'OUps or parties which represent differences ot, opinion in regard to tho carrying out ot human activities, and it is beyond tho Legion's abilities to alter this. In view of tho above, I think tho Legion is m error in deluding tho public along these lines. Words eunblo man to give human activity all sorts of appearances, but in the final analysis each aotivity can be classified under some well recognised heading. , . As far as one can gather, the Lemons candidates will have only one platik in their platform, viz., Government reform. this will be hardly sufficient to appe*|l .to the average elector. The general public is much more concerned with solutions for unemployment, stimulation of trade, and increase of purchasing power for the community. If the Legion's candidates come forward with constructive proposals on these matters, they will stand a far happier chance of commanding public support. The Legion from its public platform

pleads lack of funds. It says that it cannot look for substantial contributions from large financial institutions. Its candidates will have to contest' the next election Tinder party conditions. How is the Legion going to raise the funds that aro necessary for its candidates who are putting up for Parliament? The Legion by refusing to acknowledge candidly that it is a party clouds the issue.—l am, etc., PERTINAX. (To the Editor.) Sir, —The New Zealand Legion has through its various meetings broadcast the faults of our present Parliamentary system. That, however, is something that anyone could do. The faults' are obvious enough to anybody with any intelligence at all. If tho Legion is to lift itself out of the mass of ordinary grumblers it will have to give us something definite to put in place of the present system. So far vague generalities have been the rule, or where definite statements have been made they have been followed by the tag "not definitely decided." -These matters are urgent if the country is to recover from its present position. Mere talking, mere academic discussion of governmental matters will not help us. Action is needed, and needed quickly.—l am, etc., ' , ACTION.!