N.Z. WELFARE LEAGUE

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 17 February 1921, Page 7

N.Z. WELFARE LEAGUE

PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL ADDRESS

NEED FOR COMBATING REVOLU-

TIONARIES

/(BY TELEGH.APTT —wwiyifj ASSOCTAI mv A < X WELLINGTON, Feb 17. The second annual meeting o£ the New Zealand Welfare League was held to-day. Mr C. P. Skerett, K.C., presided, and all the delegates were present, representing all parts of New Zealand. Mr Skerrett delivered his presidential address, reviewing the causes which had-led to^the formation of the league. He stated that a movement with revolutionary aims commenced before the 1913 strike, which was designed to advance the aim of » extremists. During the war, by insisting on unreasonable demands and concessions, the extremists had obtained control of the big unions which were essential to the life of the country, and they were using these organisations not for the promotion of the true interests of the" workers, but so as to secure the ultimate abolition of capital and private enterprise; Vigorous propaganda. has resulted in considerable support for this movement. The league was formed to combat this and to show by that true progress was attainable by the gradual reform of existing institiiti<gns. In this work there had been much success, but there was greater need than ever for the league to oppose those who sought the disruption of industry and the imposition on the Dominion of the Soviet -system of Bolshevism, which would plant the control of all industries and •every activity in the hands of manual workers.