NEW ZEALAND LEGION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 251, 20 September 1934, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND LEGION.

DUNEDIN EXECUTIVE RESIGNS. ON POLITICAL ISSUE. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, Sept. 19.. As the result of a divergence of opinion between the central executive of the New Zealand Legion and the Dunedin executive, members of the latter have resigned in a body, and a provisional executive has been appointed to function till the annual meeting of the Dunedin district has been held, when, it is understood, the question will be considered whether members of the Legion in Dunedin retain their confidence in the policy of the central executive.

The decision, which may have a farreaching effect upon the Legion’s position in the public life of New Zealand, was taken at a meeting held on September 5. At this meeting Dr Campbell Begg, leader of . the Legion, was present and addressed the members of the executive. A report was presented by Air Paterson, president of the local branch, and after it had been discussed and received., the executive resigned in a body. A report explaining the reasons which had actuated the executive coming to its decision stated that the executive understood that the aims and objects of the Legion were condensed in clause IV. of the objects, and that the sole aim of the Legion was the securing of more efficient government, central and local, and government based on national and not sectional interests.

The report pointed out that, at a conference of the Legion in AVellington in July, it had become evident that the aims of the Legion had departed from this interpretation and that the Legion was prepared to enter the field as a political party. In view of this, the executive felt that it could not, in fairness to members who had been induced to join the Legion on the old understanding, remain in office. It is understood that Dr Begg addressed the meeting at considerable length, but the executive adhered to its decision to resign and it was resolved that a new executive should be selected. A meeting was held on September 7 and a new executive was chosen.