THE NEW ZEALAND LEGION

Taranaki Daily News, 11 March 1933, Page 4

THE NEW ZEALAND LEGION

EXPLANATION OF PROPOSALS RESPONSIBILITIES IN DEMOCRACY AIM TO EDUCATE THE PEOPLE. IMPERFECTION OF PARLIAMENTS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Details of the organisation known as the New Zealand Legion were given by Dr. Campbell Begg in an interview today. Many meetings had been held throughout the Dominion, Dr. Begg said, and m view of the enthusiastic manner in which the proposal was received it had 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 put into being the New Zealand Legion. “The main aim of the league is to teach people their responsibility as units in a democratic government,” Dr. Begg said. “Hitherto they have been content to exercise the governmental function which is their right merely by giving a 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 a Parliament, the imperfection 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 and have failed to take the responsibilities. Unless now you are prepared to realise these responsibilities Democracy itself and the stability of government resting upon it are in danger.’ The league’s attitude is nonparty and its purpose is to assist, encourage and stimulate what is best in our public life.” Dr. Begg said the league would not be definitely formed with a full constitution and rules until the national council had decided them. A women’s section of the league was carefully considered and the advice of public-spirited women was being enlisted as to the most effective organisation.

As the first suggestion of the movement was made only a month ago, Dr. Begg added, elaboration of its aims and organisation was yet in the rough. It could be stated, however, that any statement that any sectional interest was behind it was a deliberate falsehood.