AIMS OF LEGION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21910, 20 September 1934, Page 10

AIMS OF LEGION

difference of opinion DUNEDIN DEVELOPMENT RESIGNATION OF EXECUTIVE NEW POLICY NOT FAVOURED [by telegraph —OWN correspondent] DT7KEDIIC, Wednesday As a result of a divergence of opinion and aims between the central executive of the New Zealand Legion and the Dunedin executive, the latter has resigned in a body. A provisional executive has been appointed to function until the annual mating of the Dunedin district is held, when it is understood the question whether members of the legion in Dunedin retain confidence in the policy of the central executive will be considered.

The decision, which is calculated to have a far-reaching effect upon the legion's position in the public life of New Zealand, was made at a meeting held this month. Dr. Campbell Begg, leader of the legion, was present and addressed members of the executive.

A report was presented by Mr. H. L. Paterson, the president, and after it had been discussed and received by the meeting the executive resigned. The retiring executive comprised a number of leading professional and business men of the city. Political Activities Explaining reasons which had actuated the executive in reaching its decision the report stated that the executiv# understood that the aims and objects of the legion were condensed in clause 4 of the objects—that the sole aim of the legion was the securing of more efficient government, central and local, and government based on national, not sectional, interests. The report pointed out that ac a conference of the legion held'in Wellington in July it had become evident that the aims of the legion had undergone a change 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 chosen. Duties of Hew Executive A meeting was therefore held two days later at which members were present by invitation and a new executive was chosen. This executive was informed of the view held that a number of members of the legion in the Dunedin district had lost touch with the executive, and the incoming body was charged with the responsibility of making the necessary reorganisation and taking steps considered advisable for making the executive in Dunedin more representative of its 2000 odd members.

Although members of the old executive state that they have no desire to create a division in the ranks of the legion, and that they have not resigned membership of that body, as distinct from membership of the executive, it is believed that for some time there has been a growing feeling in Dunedin that the views held at headquarters in Wellington were increasingly diverging from those held in Dunedin. Feeling of Dissatisfaction Published statements concerning the activities and changes in the personnel of the central executive have strengthened the feeling that the legion was departing from the original ideal that it would be a non-party body concerned with educating the public of the Dominion to a better appreciation of what the Government of the country should really be. To such an extent had this feeling grown that Dunedin refused to be represented at the national conference held in July in Wellington. That this feeling of dissatisfaction is fairly general in the south is shown by the fact that the Balclutha and Invercargill districts were also unrepresented, and that the Oamaru delegate protested against the formation of a legion political party and eventually withdrew from the conference.

Until the annual meeting of the Dunedin district branch of the legion is held there is unlikely to be any further development locally.