UNITY WANTED

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 130, 29 November 1939, Page 11

UNITY WANTED

IN ALL SECTIONS

PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT

COMMON FRONT FOR

FREEDOM

Some of the many hundreds who

were present in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall last night by invitation—and there were several hundreds' more who "would have been there had there been" room—went, no doubt, expecting to hear a tirade against the iniquities of the present Government or, more particularly, protests against the import restrictions and the consequent strangulation of trade. Incidentally, these things were mentioned, but discussion on them was not the ; concern of the meeting. Fat larger 1 issues were raised by the speakers w,ho, with the audience, represented every class "of the community. What was emphasised, from different points of view by the different speakers, was the need in New Zealand, if democracy

is-to be preserved and the heritage of

freedom not lost, for a sinking of sec- ' tional interests and for unanimity in working for the common good. While the danger of the present socialistic trend of legislation was pointed out," the general trend of the speeches was not .antr-anything—they were proNew .Zealand. If all sections of the community were to work together for the common good, not putting self and individual profit first, said one speaker, New Zealand, could be.saved from a rash, inexperienced and experimenting Government, and made into the prosperous- country it ought to be. "What; was also.stressed at the outset

and throughout--the.meeting was the f^t:thafr nothing; must be (Jone, either by. th^.i Government-or by any section of iiie ycoinniumty, to nullify New Zealand's support of Great Britain in the present ,?var.'lt was also stressed that whatever, organisation was formed ■would .have/to- receive the backing of all sections of the community if it were to be effective in bringing about

k mew - order of; things, and that any

steps taken :by such an organisation would necessarily be strictly constitutionaj and in accordance with the principles? of democracy which they were seeking .to retain? "We. want- to keep .away .from the flaunting of any old "school tie,"-said .one speaker, "if we are to build t up a new order of

IDEALS OUTLINED.

-At the outset of the meeting Mr. E.R. Toop, who had been selected as chairman'by the organising committee, explained that in. recent weeks a committee of 70 employers and employees had held numerous meetings at which the general trend of events had been discussed. They were concerned with the doubt, apprehension, and fear concerning the economic situation and the socialistic trend of legislation—a trend leading ultimately and inevitably to dictatorship. The time had now arrived, it was thought, when the committee's views should ibe communicated to a wider circle—to' the rank and file. The result had been the calling together of the present meeting. If their organisation, which would receive an appropriate name in due course, was to be an effective factor, it needed the- support of all sections ,pf -community and more particularly of the rank-and file, for all \yere and would vbe/- affected -by; the present trend of events:" With ..the support of tens and hundreds' -of thousands of the people, the new" organisation would be a, powerful influence and one able to achieve its objects,. Until it had that-assured'support, however, it deemed it advisable to proceed quietly, building up -as it went. It sought: nor.publicity, paid-, bo money to any .officers, and appealed to all classes * ■ ' "

The organisation, aimed; at. being the ■voice, of the peOßle.r rejecting Jsuirejiucratic government that infringed;the freedom of. the;, individual-arid .vior lated -the. principles of Christian, and British, democracy. It would support any..; Government whose loyalty to party was subordinated fo loyalty and service to the \people, Varid it would resist -those forsces tending to make the. individual subservient to the State."

T«£::MbVEMENT'S FUTURE.

They would discard the bad of the old order of things, and retain what was good in the new. The true spirit of democracy recognised the rights of minorities

What the organisation's future programme would be and how it would function would depend upon conditions obtaining when it had behind it that full measure oi" support it aimed to get. - In the meantime quiet organisation in .the cities and provinces was being .carried out, but, although quiet and unobtrusive, it was none the less thorough*

The following spoke briefly after the rhairnian's opening remarks:—Mr. A. Howie (Auckland), Mr. W. Mulholland, Dr. J. Roberts Boyd,.Mr. B. Cooksley, Mr. J. Maher, Mr. O. Mills, Mr. E. Napier,;Mr. R.-Gapes, Mr. G. Stock, and Mr. A/Loadsman.

The various speakers outlined the position from • many different angles, and were not afraid to voice outspoken condemnation of the apathy displayed by so many individuals towards public affairs and of the all too common habit of placing self first and the community second. Some hard knocks were given —;and . taken in the right spirit. An outline was given of the work of the organisation in the Auckland Province: the farmers' point of view was given with forcible clarity, as was also that of. the small producer, and professional and business men had their say. Short speeches from the body of the hall indicated that the organisation would re-

ceive unanimous support, and that the foundations were being laid for something which would have a profound bearing on the future of New Zealand.

MACAULAY'S CRITICISM.

A very apposite quotation from Macaulay, in criticism of Southey's socialistic writings-, was made at the end of the meeting by someone in the body, of the' hall:—

. "It is not by the inter-meddling of Mr. Southey's idol—the 'omnipotent and omnipresent State,' - but by the prudence and energy of the people that England has -hitherto advanced in civilisation and to that prudence and energy we look forward with confidence and good hope.

"The Government will best advance the well-being c. the people by con-

fining itself within its own proper limits by allowing capital .to find its most lucrative coui'se, commodities their tair price, industry and intelligence their natural reward, folly and idleness their natural punishment, by maintaining peace. By protecting property, by cheapening the cost of law, and by observing strict economy in every Department of the State. • ..

"Let the Government'. do these things—the people will do the rest."

At the close of the meeting unanimous and enthusiastic endorsement was given to the following resolution proposed from the body of the hall:— "That' this . meeting, having heard from fiie chairman an outline of this movement of the people, fullyV endorses "its aims and ideals, arid pledges its wholehearted support and resolves