N.Z. LEGION

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11877, 23 February 1933, Page 4

N.Z. LEGION

NEW political/ ORGANISATION., | EMERGENCY MOVEMENT TO AIKET NATIONAL i 6TOIS.;' PATRIOTIC GOVERNMENT WANTED. ALL SECTIONS ELIGIBLE EOR • MEMBERSHIP. iPress Association-} WELLINGTON, Feb. 22 The initiation of a movement with a view to uniting all ther resources of the country, and obliterating all sectional interests, is the objective of certain groups of the farming community and business and professional interests. Some information concerning the proposal was given in the course of an interview in the “Dominion” by telephone from Christchurch by Dr. Campbell Begg tonight. Dr. Begg said it w a s intended to sound the opinion, of the country in order to see whether an Organisation on these line.- was desirable. Tt was expected that if the movement is successful it would secure a membership of 400.000. No distinction .would be made in regard to membership rules. The proposals so far are tentative. The objects suggested are. (1) The Legion would represent an emergency movement to meet a national crisis.

(2) Tc aims at organising the whole of the people of New Zealand for safety and security. (3) It proposes by means of the organisation to add directed voting power to secure a Government composed of men and women of integrity and intellect freed from the trammels of sectional pressure, and actuated solely by a motive of patriotic effort. The sole aim, he said, is more efficient Government, centrally and locally. The pledge, is loyalty to the King, the Empire, and the New Zealand Constitution.

Dr. Begg emphatically denied any suggestion that the movement is something in the nature o If the Fascisti. No action is possible other than constitutional. The Legion’s banner is large enough to embrace the employer, retailer, farmer, farm laborer, workman, relief worker, housewife, and girl who works. The movement is purely national, tn meet a national crisis.