THE LEGION

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 76, 11 March 1933, Page 9

THE LEGION

ORGANISATION PROGRESSING

ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE

NATIONAL COUNCIL PROPOSED

Wellington, Mar. 10.

Dr. Campbell Begg, interviewed, gave some details of the organisation known as the New Zealand Legion. Many meetings had been held throughout the Dominion, the doctor said, and in view of the enthusiastic manner in which tho proposal had been received it, had been decided to call together a national council, representative of the main districts, to mould and further the ideas contained in the movement and definitely to put into being the New Zealand Legion. The main aim of the legion was to teach people their responsibility as units in a democratic government. Hitherto they had been content to exorcise the governmental function which was their right merely by giving their vote on certain occasions. The legion deprecated hysterical criticism of those doing their best to exercise the functions of government within the imperfect machinery of Parliament, the imperfections of which were entirely due to the people themselves. The legion said, in effect: “Hitherto you have been content to reap tho benefits of democracy and failed to take the responsibilities. Unless now you are prepared to realise these responsibilities democracy itself and the stability of government resting upon it is in danger.” The leagues attitude was non-party, and its purpose was to assist and encourage and stimulate what was best in our public life.

Dr. Begg said that the league would not be definitely formed with full constitution, rules, etc., until the national council had decided them. A women’s section of the league was being carefully considered, and the advice of pub-lic-spirited women was being enlisted as to the most effective organisation.

Dr. Begg added that as the first suggestion of the movement was made only a month ago, the elaboration of its aims and organisation was yet in the rough. It could be stated, however, that any statement that any sectional interest was behind it was n doliberate falsehood.