POLITICAL REFORM UNION

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 28 July 1932, Page 4

POLITICAL REFORM UNION

JUNIOR LEAGUE EXTENSION.. IDEALS IN GOVERNMENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 27. Various far-reaching proposals concerning the future of the Junior Reform League were discussed at a meeting of the committee of that ‘organisation. The resolutions were adopted:— That the name “Junior Reform l League” be changed l to ' ‘ Reform Union”; that the Reform Union ratify and adopt the aims and objects and constitute a branch 'of the New Zealand Political Reform League, and that the following specified points be its immediate objective: The principle of nongovernmental interference in private enterprise be persistently and emphatically applied; a survey of the cost of State and public administration to the taxpayer with a view to securj ing reduction iii taxes; no further, extension of the Public Service and reduction thereof when possible; increased and closer control. by Parliament over expenditure. I Speakers considered that open dis* j cussion in development and investigation of these points would be invaluable 1 and that young candidates or members I holding these views '.should be brought forward or supported. It was agreed I that these and other points should be ' fully discussed' by means- of debate and I a model parliament, and arrangements , are being made accordingly. Speakers emphasised the need for the I relinquishment of State holdings in: | various fields of private enterprise and i urged that interfering and harassing ■legislation now on the Statute Book i should be amended or repealed in order that private enterprise might be given l an opportunity for rehabilitation, re- ! covery and progress. It was generally agreed that closer co-operation between members of Parliament and electors was desirable, and it was felt that those supported by the union should, meet -it to discuss current legislation, election platforms and any deviations therefrom. It was felt that there was a mutual-responsibility, and for this reason a mutual understanding was extremely desirable. The Reform Union expresses the belief that Socialistic legislation not only has contravened .the constitutional rights and freedom of the people, but also has had a tendency to break down progressively initiative and self-re-liance and unless active steps are taken' to check it it must ultimately end in national disaster.