N.Z. LEGION

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11957, 30 May 1933, Page 7

N.Z. LEGION

VIMS AN D OU.JECTS O U'l LIX ED

ADDRESS BY D!i. !'. WILLIAMS

ANIMATED DISCUSSION. A further address on tlie aims and objects of the New Zealand Legion wa a delivered in the City Hull iast evening, tlie speaker being Dr. L lie Williams, of Wanganui. The hull "'us packed and the address, which wets much on the lilies ot-the previous ones, was succeeded by an animated discussion. The .Mayor, (All'. John Jackson), presided. and also ou the platform "were the following: Di's. H. Golding. Rice and A. L. Singer. .Messrs, ft. E. Gambrill, A. A. Whitehead and D. It. Chrisp. in opening. Dr. Williams stated that be wished to re-ass lire them as to tlie motives for the formation of the Legion. The first steps towards its formation wore regarded as a ray of hope, a possible avenue out. of the present troubles. Personally lie was convinced tile Legion euulU. attain iu objects and nothing bui slackness and apathy 1 would provenl such a result. The Legion had a definite purpose and it appealed Iu the best within us. calling on our self-reliance to get us out of our difficulties. It was politics, but it .was politics ol a kind lar dilforent from wliat we understood by dm term. AH nature, of charges "'ere levelled against I lie Legion, hut ho urged them mot to be misled by sueti statements. Tlie tact there was no policy yet laic! 1 down was cavilled at by some, but it had to ho remembered that such policy would be the oho decided on by members when representatives were returned to Parliament.

People in New Zealand to-day, con tinned the speaker, were suffering in til O' midsl of plenty, and fear and worry were besetting the people sorely. There was worry over all aspects of finance, over the barest needs of existence, over the existence of 100 many children, over the thoughtlessness of their f'eliowiuen. The future appeared, black and the specture of starvation stalked through !.he land—yet it might become even worse. Those placed in power were in a parlous plight, torn this wav and that by party factions, by calls from constituencies, etc. It was given id Parliament to set the lead to the -people, but instead all one saw was party strife, personal recrimination, lengthy consideration to local body matters, interminable speeches. Those with true ideals were helpless beneath the party whips. Parliament. had lost its grip on the faith of the i/tioplo—-there was no quarrel with the personnel, but only with the machine.

The Legion proposed to provide a National Government, stated Dr. Williams, a government composed of men and women who had proved their capabilities in other walks of life. Two weeks ago a National Government was established in South Africa, all members of the new House Except eight being pledged to support the united regime. One of the main concerns of the Legion ■would be to secure a proper understanding of the causes of privation to-day. Tile national consciousness was stirring and the Legion was sounding the call to action, offering the channel for right-thinking and patriotic impulse. Admittedly the road bristled with difficulties, said Dr. Williams, and much opposition would be encountered, but the end would be worth all the effort. Progress at first would b© slow, but the progress of such a movement did not depend solely on a clear sight ahead. Instead it depended on the tenacity, the lighting spirit and the right thinking of mem hers. Each person in the hall tlat night had experienced an impulse, an urge toward better tilings-—-lie believed it was the voice of God. ;f DrV 'Williams mentioned that, in h few clays, a' meeting of unemployed delegates would be held at Welling-.

ton to decide their attitude towards the Legion. No"', however, was Hio time for them to define their attitude. to take a definite stand for the .right, or against it, and as iu IioAV far they would be prepared to go. Signing a membership card was not enough. Tim Legion had only just been born, but it was Last developing. and would eventually, with their aid. sweep forward a migthy power. He recalled th e spirit ol comradeship which was the great strength of the N.Z. Army—that spirit still existed and only required reviving. which wa s the Legion's aim. M". Whitehead outlined the vat-ion-steps in the formation of the Legion, on lines of previous addresses, stressing the local needs in connection with the organisation and making a strong ..appeal for support.

(> BEST lON S ANS W ERE I>. Questions were then invited, and the first one asked "as a* to llm d'ilfereuee between the Legion and Socialism. In reply, Air. I). E. Chrisp pointed out that tlm Legion desired tlm welfare of all sections ul the community, whereas tlm Labor Party aimed to henelii one section. Air. O. E. Bickford asked whether the position to-day was not the result of capitalism rather than of party government.—Dr. \\ illiam s replied that there were thousands of causes blamed for Hie slump, and it wa.s the- Legion's aim to study out the real ones.

Another questioner asked that- tho Legion give the Douglas Credit System a thorough examination anti adept same if approved.—Mr. Whitehead intimated that the Legion iwas prepared to fully consider all schemes and proposals.

Aliv. J. B. Pointer asked that the difference between tile National Security League and the Legion should he defined.—Dr. Williams replied that these organisations, it was hoped, would be eventually amalgamated.

In moving a vole of tlnmks to the speakers, Mr. F. 11. Ball pointed out that Dr. Williams had spoken sincerely and impressively, without any fireworks. The difference- between the Legion and such activities as the Douglas Credit System or the Security League wn s that, the League was not one-eyed in any iway e.r dependent on one single proposal. The Legito aimed to place free, selected men in the House. The motion was carried -with acclamation. as was a further one to the Mayor for taking the chair.