WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1933, Page 6

WELLINGTON TOPICS

NEW ZEALAND LEGION,

A BIG UNDERTAKING.

(Special to “Guardian.”)

WELLINGTON, May T 9.

Although the Government hair not yet formally announced that members of . the Civil Service are not to attach themselves to the New Zealand Legion, it is generally understood that ail edict to that effect has been promulgated. by those in authority. Dr." Campbell Begg, the president qf -the Legion, assuming that this is the case, has very properly suggested that, the position, so far as the Civil betvapts are concerned, should be clearedjup at once, lb this length the Doctor’s suggestion is perfectly sound, >- its application would scarcely coyer all, the problems it would involve, the' accumulation of many years.

THE LEGION’S POSITION. Sj

Dr. Begg, whose sincerity and ability no one will Question fails in his haste to recuperate the electoral system of the Dominion, by a sjngle stroke of the pen. “The Legion’s position would undoubtedly be,’ he says, (1) that the undoubted rights of- public servants should not interfered with; \2) that the country should?-not be deprived of the constructive thought which exists in the Public Service; and (3) that nothing should be done to undermine, the zeal and loyalty of public servants to ' the State.” All this is admirable so far as it,goes; but' none of it reaches, as far as conviction.

THE PEOPLE’S RIGHTS

What is needed in this country is not so much, the expansion of the electoral rights of members of the Givi l Service' —which, rafter all, " are not nearly so restrictive as iriany people imagine them to be-—as a thorough review of the whole constitution of the •House of Representatives and the Legislative Council. At the general election of. 1928 just one half of the seventy-six candidates returned to the elected Chamber were minority members—thlat is returned by fewer than half tho votes polled in their respective constituencies—and the Legislative Council now harbours no ; inpre. than a dozen effective members.

A BIG FIELD.

Of. his good intentons there can-be no shadow of doubt, but if Dr. Begg would conffne bis efforts in the political field to a seat in Parliament for in year or two, and perhaps to the possession of a portfolio, he probably Would find opportunity coining,ctp more profusely than it appears to be doing at tne present time. As far as any one can see, and -read and lielar, he has many useful qualities, which the average politician lacks, or holds in very moderate measure. While st.ill' in the prime of life lie ,might find in politics a career excelling even that ..of liis present profession