Responsibilities of Democracy

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7103, 11 March 1933, Page 6

Responsibilities of Democracy

What People Owe to Their Country

AIMS OF THE NEW ZEALAND LEGION

Per Press Association WELLINGTON, Last Night,

Dr. Campbell Begg, interviewed, gave some details of tho organisation known as tho New Zealand Legion.

"Many meetings have been held throughout the Dominion,” Dr. Bcgg said, “a’nd in view of ho enthusiastic manner in which tho proposal has been received, it has been decided to call together a national council representative of the main districts to mould further the ideas contained in the movement and definitely to pub into being the New Zealand Legion. . “Tho main aim of the league, is to teach the people their responsibility as units in a democratic government. Hitherto they have been content .to cxerciso the governmental function, which is their right, merely by giving their vote on certain occasions. "The legion deprecates hysterical criticism of those doing their best to exercise the functions of government within the imperfect machinery of Parliament, the imperfectness of which is entirely due to the people themselves. The legion says, in effect, ‘Hitherto you have been content to reap the benefits of democracy anc. have failed to take the responsibilities. Unless now you arc prepared to realise their responsibilities, democracy itself and the stability, of the Government resting upon it is in dan-

ger. “The league’s attitude is non-party, and its purpose is to a'ssist, encourage and stimulate what is best in our public life.” j Dr. Begg said the league would not be definitely formed with, a full constitution, rules, etc., until the national council decided them. A women’s section of the league was carefully considered and the advice of public-spirited women was . being enlisted a's to the most effective organisation. Dr. Bcgg added that as the first suggestion of the movement wasma.de only a month ago, elaboration of its aims and organisation was yet m the rough. It could be stated, however that any statement that any sectional interest was behind it was a deliberate falsehood.