ACTIVE CAMPAIGNING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18063, 13 April 1933, Page 13

ACTIVE CAMPAIGNING

N.Z. LEGION’S PROGRESS ; 1! ■ * LOCAL MEMBERS INCREASING ' C SOME 1 QUESTIONS ANSWERED | Progress made by the New Zealand Legion organisation in Poverty Bay and along the East Coast has been so rapid as to arouse the interest of many who have not as yet been tendered an opportunity of joining the organisation. . A provisional executive for the division, which approximately covers the same area as the East Coast Rabbit Board district, has found most encouraging response to the campaign for membership so far as it has gone, and the time should! not be far distant when provisional officers will be able to step aside and leave to the general members the appointment of their leaders. While, the majority of people are in agreement with the general aims of the Legion, a number of questions have been raised as to the practical effect which the organisation may have upon political and social life in the Dominion. First and foremost, there exists in the minds of some people the fear that, in its final form, the Legion may become the in-. Btrvrment of a particular political force, and be reduced to subservience as many other organisations have been in the , past. Many who might welcome an ; opportunity to join the Legion are held back, possibly, by this fear, and the con"'lfcequent doabt as to the obligations of Some of the points raised ’under this heading were referred to-day , to Dr- A- L. Singer, provisional leader of the Gisborne division of the Legion, and the comments of the leader will be of interest to many readers beyond the present membership of the organisation. , MEETING A CRISIS j The Legion represents an emergency movement to meet the national crisis, and aims at organising the whole of the people of New Zealand for the safety and security of the Dominion, Dr. Singer pointed out. It proposes, by means of the organised and directed voting power of the people themselves, to secure a j Government composed of men and | women of integrity and intellect, freed from trammels of sectional pressure, and actuated solely by motives of patriotic effort for the sake of the country. The eventual aim is more efficient government, central and local, and a government based on national, not sectional, interests. Its pledge is loyalty to the ' constitution. i On the general subject of the pledge, the divisional leader pointed out that all persons who realise the present serious national emergency, and the necessity for all good citizens to subordinate private and political interests and to make the necessary sacrifices for the.sake of the country, should welcome membership in the Legion. The pledge held members to loyally, by every means in their power, by vote, example and personal influence,' further the objects of the Legion, a foundational feature of the pledge being of course loyalty to the King, to the Empire, and to the New Zealand constitution. f , EDUCATING DEMOCRACY “The appeal of the Legion is thus made to all men and women who are ready to play their part as units of a government,” stated Dr. Singer. “It is partly au educational movement, seeking to train the citizens : to think clearly on political matters and to judge a policy from the point of ; view of what is best for the country as a whole and not from personal or parochial interests. It will not expect candidates to pledge themselves to advocate a certain policy in advance. A candidate will state his opinions and

■weigh all evidence offered to him bv the electors, but will consider himself free to vote according to his-conscience > after hearing tire matter under question fully discussed in Parliament from all points of view. ‘.‘lt is a constitutional movement and dobs not aim at establishing a dictatorship. On the contrary it believes that the chief hope for the country lies in educating the democracy to interest themselves in the art of government. It calls upon the people to exert themselves and, make whatever sacrifice may be necessary to re-establish our prosperity; to interest themselves at all times in • their responsibilities as members of a democracy and not content themselves simply with casting a vote once every few years. THE ORGANISATION ‘‘The country is divided into 18 divisions, Gisborne being one division covering an area roughly corresponding to the electoral districts "of Gisborne and the Bay of Plenty. The leaders of the divisions form the national council, which will meet at regular intervals, with intermediate meetings whenever necessary. The division is composed of centres arid groups. Each individual member is attached to a group arid several groups together form the centre. The centres will be located at such points as will ensure easy communication between the groups and their centres. Each centre llftl have a committee. The representatives from tlie centres, together with representatives from Gisborne itself, will constitute a divisional council. By this means each member can express Iris views through his own group on to the centre and through the division to the national council. The division is at present in charge of a provisional committee, and as soon as the organisation of centres is completed the divisional ■ eopiicil will meet and leaders will Ihi I chosen. . I “The Legion is not under the control ■ of, or connected with, any political party ■ or association or of any particular seeI tional interest. Tt is an entirely inI dependent body. I POLITICAL RESEARCH H “The Legion is setting up groups to I study pplitical social and economic quesI tions. Such groups will be established ■in divisions and centres and the know- ■ lodge gained will be placed at the disI posal of all members. H “The Legion is not a New Guard. It His not a military organisation. There is Hno secret drilling, or arming. Its action His strictly' constitutional and legal. Its H members would, of course, like all' other Hresponsible citizens, do their part to aid Htlie established authorities in the event Hof. chaotic conditions of any kind arisHing.” ■ In regard to the promotion of the HLegion programme in this district, Dr. ■Singer mentioned that small meetings Hare being held at short intervals, and ■that anyone genuinely interested is ■cordially invited to attend these patherThe precise dates of meetings to Hbe.held after Easter will be announced ■pqblicly, and the aims and ideals of the HLegion will be fully discussed. Anyone Hover the age of 18 years, man or woman, His,eligible fpv membership in the organHisation, in which all will have equal footas to voting powers.