LEGION’S AIMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 11 March 1933, Page 7

LEGION’S AIMS

DUTIES OF DEMOCRACY UNITS IN GOVERNMENT DR. CAMPBELL BEGG EXPLAINS DETAILS OF ORGANISATION Interviewed by a “Mail” represent tative to=day, Dr. Campbell Begg gave some further details in regard to the organisation known as the New Zea* land Legion in connection with the promotion of which he has been visit* ing Nelson. In a previous statement it was reported that the country, was being sounded to see whether a move* ment along the lines suggested would meet with general favour, and would be likely to fulfil a useful purpose in the community to*day. Dr. Begg stated that there were no promoters of the movement properly so called. Certain lines of thought were put before a combined meeting of farmers and business men, and afterward another group partially drawn from this meeting considered .the question, and asked him if he would undertake to convene meetings in various parts of the country and to make such preliminary organisation as could further consolidate the movement. All this organising was of a tentative nature pending a complete survey of the Dominion. This has now been practically completed, and in view of the enthusiastic manner with which the proposal has been received, it has been decided'to call together a National Council representative of the main districts throughout the country to mould further the ideas contained in the movement, and definitely to put into being the New Zealand Legion. That is the stage that has been reached. , . . There was ail overwhelming opinion that something along the lines suggested was required, and the fact that adherence to the views of the Legion was not incompatible with affiliation with any existing political party was one -of the strongest points' in'its favour. One of the great difficulties met with, however, was that the minds of the people of the country had been so accustomed to think in a political groove that the Legion itself was conceived in some quarters as a, political party, and in others as some such movement as a New Guard or unconstitutional organisation. It is difficult, however, to distinguish between what is the genuine belief of people with regard to the Legion, and what has been- instilled into their minds by those enemies of it whose own particular interest, either politically or financially, might be considered to be unfavourably affected .by a national movement of this kind. The public must now be very much oil their guaid against various types of propaganda which are insidiously working against the Legion, and would equally work against any movement for the people as a whole where sectional interests considered themselves jeopardised. It may be said at the outset that the main aim of the Legion is to teach the people their responsibility as units in a Democratic Government. Hitherto they, have been content to exercise the governmental function which is their right merely ,by giving a vote on certain, occasions. They have thrown certain representatives into the Parliamentary machine and have then returned to looking after their own affairs, and have neither taken the time nor given the study to the question of Government for which each of them if he is to remain a unit of democracy, is responsible. The Legion maintains that the Parliamentary machine and the methods of Government are exactly as the individual units of the people make them, and deplores the fact that now that pockets are being affected and hard times are at' the door of everyone, the reaction is to criticise and attack legislators, the Government, rival interests of their own, and in general to fill the country with sectional strife, mutual distrust, and disunion at the very time when unity of action is most necessary: The Legion emphatically deprecates hysterical criticism of those who are doing their best to exercise the functions of Government within the imperfect machinery of Parliament the imperfections of which are entirely due to the people themselves. The prevailing emotion throughout New Zealand at the present time verges on the hysterical, individuals, fearful for their own financial security and for the future, and having lost faith* in the Governmental machine for which they themselves are responsible, are wasting their time and their efforts in widening the rift between town and country, between employer and employee, and between importer and manufacturer. The Legion says to the people in effect: — Hitherto you have been content to reap the benefits of Democracy and have Jailed to take the responsibili* ties. Uhless now you are prepared to realise these responsibilities Demo* cracy itself, and the stability of Gov* ernment resting upon it, is in danger.

In order to canalise the best thought throughout the country the first step lias been to select a nucleus of men of. undoubted ability, intelligence, sanity of outlook, and integrity throughout the country, and by means of its centre and divisional organisation, and finally its National . Council,, .to bring together a body 1 -,, of nationally-minded individuals who can consider the problems of the country from this aspect and not from any sectional or parochial point of view. This in itself is likely to have a considerable effect in restoring morale by directing the thought of individuals into productive channels. Starting from this basis, an educative movement will be taken in hand to tell the electors in the various districts the plain truth that their present situation is tlie result of their demanding all kinds of pampering, and directing their votes in favour of those who would offer them the most. Now they must realise that only personal and individual service, with considerable self-sacrifice in relation to the previous standards, can he effective in overcoming the serious crisis which has overtaken the country.

The enemies of the movement have tried to prejudice it in various ways, mostly along the well-defined track of inspiring lying canards in regard to it. The public would do well to discredit completely anything of this nature. It is a well-known method in such matters as these for unscrupulous people to approach certain persons and affirm categorically that adverse interests are behind a movement, and then to go to these interests and the other side with the same affirmation. In the hands of unscrupulous men of a certain type, some of whom are always abroad, this particular method of attack may cause serious concern among those who are not aware of the wellworn method. It is not suggested that respectable interests, political or other-

wise, would tolerate such tactics if they knew of them. It has further been said that the movement is disruptive and would aim at weakening the existing Government in order to fulfil its ends. It has no ends which could be fulfilled by such methods, and would certainly do nothing to weaken any stabilising power actually in control. Its attitude is non-party, and its purpose is to assist and encourage and stimulate what is best in our public life. One of its primary objects is to remove the fetters which have bound the Parliamentary machine over so many years, and which threaten its efficiency mainly by the intense pressure put upon Ministers and members not only through deputations but from the constituencies. This pressure prevents them acting untrammelled. To those who know the inner .working of the political machine this point of view needs ho elaboration^ Dr. Begg added that this preliminary notice was desirable in order that' the public should be warned against misrepresentation. It must be understood that the Legion would not be definitely formed with full constitution, rules,-etc., until the National Council had decided them. The public could rest assured that they would be taken entirely .'into the confidence of the Legion as every step was developed, and after- Careful consideration he could not see what possible objection any nationally-minded individual in the country, whether in the House or not, could take to the movement. Indeed, the Legion anticipated, and had secured active support from all sides. .. :i . . The classifying of this •'movement as a new political party was partially 'jdue to honest misunderstanding, and partially due to an attempt to discredit it on the part of those'-whose- interests, personal or political, would be’ adversely.affected by it. The women’s section of the Legion was very carefully considered, and.tho advice of the public-spirited women was being enlisted as to the best and most effective organisation. As the first suggestion of the movement whs made only a month ago, the elaboration of its ajms and organisation was as yet in the rough. It can, however, be emphatically stated that any statement that any sectional interest is behind it Is a calculated and deliberate falsehood. As it has been suggested in some quarters that the name Legion implied a militaristic organisation, it is considered desirable to explain briefly why the name was chosen. The Legion claims no originality in expressing its ideals, but it does claim thjit the country is now ready if properly guided to implement these ideals. Its organisation is designed to that end, and is based oil the essential soundness of the bulk of our population. The present crisis not only necessitates such a movement,, but has caused the correct spirit in the "people to .enable it to succeed.