“NECESSITY FOR CHANGES”

Southland Times, Issue 24114, 1 May 1940, Page 8

“NECESSITY FOR CHANGES”

POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF N.Z.

MEETING OF PEOPLE’S

MOVEMENT

A comprehensive review of the political, social and economic problems facing New Zealand was presented at a meeting of the People’s Movement by the president, Mr E. R. Toop, in the Town Hall, Wellington, last night. “There comes a time in the history of every nation when the people are faced with the necessity for making changes, particularly those in their own outlook,” said Mr Toop. The changes might be drastic and dramatic, but New Zealand should be ready to make them. It was appreciation of this fact that led to the formation of the new movement by people who were determined to restore and maintain British democratic principles. “From our inception, we stated our determination to be a force in the political future of our country,” continued the speaker. “Based on the principle of loyalty to country before party, we can, and will, make this in truth, a people’s movement.” “We are not satisfied with the socialistic record of either the government or the National Party. We will support a party that will conform to British democratic principles which conserve our individual liberty, and a party that will place a policy possible of being implemented before the electors and a party that will legislate in the interests of all the people. If there is no alteration in personnel, constitution and policy of the existing parties, we will not hesitate to place our whole organization and candidates into the political arena to oppose them,” continued Mr Toop. The economic problems of the Dominion were divided into a number of classes and dealt with in detail by the speaker. The trend as he saw it, was towards a continual increase in both taxation and debt, and unless a change was made in the near future, he considered that New Zealand would face a situation which might have disastrous consequences.