WHAT IS THE LEGION?

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19598, 19 September 1933, Page 8

WHAT IS THE LEGION?

WXIAI IO ± XiXL i_jrjVJTIWIN f To the Editor of “ The Timaru Herald " Sir, —I have read with great interest the letters of “Nota Bene,” and “Aristophanes,” who dealt trenchantly with the Legion, and the Economy Commissioners’ report; both are to be congratulated on their effectiveness. The Legion cannot reply intelligently. It is silent as the Sphinx, and will soon be as inanimate. With fuss, froth, fury and fume it dived headlong into the sea of politics, struck the rock of public intelligence, and is now in a decaying condition, from which we all hope not to experience any more of the putrid effluvia, that has characterised its past life. Knowing the psychological effect on the mags, by the constant preaching of fear of some impending catastrophe, it resortted to this age-long pernicious practice, in the hope of stampeding the apathetic, who do not use the brains with which Providence endowed them, into joining this self-admitted sinless sanctuary of laughing legionaries. Investigations have led me to believe that the press effusions of the notorious “Pen Section,” help the postage revenue considerably, by most of the criticism being forwarded to the official scribe in the capital city, and the replies returned. One expected the spearhead of the Legion 'n South Canterbury to make an effort, however miserable, to reply to* the various questions in my previous letters. In a desperate endeavour to revive the flagging spirit, the district is to be favoured with a visit from Sir A. Russell. As a result, it may lift its shameful head, and then vanish into oblivion, unwept, unhonoured and unsung. By the way is he one of Dr Fea’s currency fanatics? His military reputation stands high in the public mind, but his political intelligence is open to question; when he becomes an evangelist of such a self-implied heavenly-gifted body; but to the intelligent public a mud-slinging creation of minds of meagre political attr' intents. He offers salvation to the most baseless sinners, in Parliament and out of it; but the majority of us are only ordinary mortals, liable to stray from the path of their defined rectitude, in more ways than one, and so do not possess egotism enough 1 o seek this haven, where, we are expected to believe, the field for his C .tanic Majesty's pereginations. for the purpose of diabolical political intrigue, bribery and corruption are at a decided discount. We find that Legionaries have already signed a petition to influence the decisions of a local authority, which is a most despicable offence in the eyes of the parent body. I have before me a report that the head of the Legion is enrolled as a member of the New Guard in NewSouth Wales, and the Mosley Fascists of England, and the leaders of these are enrolled as members of the New Zealand Legion. Hitler has selected a naturalised Englishman to keep close contact between the Nazis of Germany, and the British Fascists, and they in turn with the other two bodies. I have been waiting for a contradiction of this report, but in-so-far as 1 know none has appeared. Dr Fea being the head of the local, “dying gladiators” of froth and fume, probably could give the public some enlightenment on the above, and incidently reply to the queries in my earlier humble contributions. Being linked up with Fascism, I agree with “Nota Bene,” that it is guided in its outlook by the accursed exaggerated nationalism, which is diametrically opposed to the brotherhood of man. which means the brotherhood of nations. Having this outlook it will never strive for. but will combat any sentiment that is lively to propel us on to that much sighed and longed for paradise when— Nation with nation, land with land. Unarmed shall live as comrades free, | In every heart and brain shall throb j The pulse of one fraternity. Those prophetic lines conveying to most intellects, the dawn of a new era, a glorious civilisation, nobler j and loftier, than those now living will j enjoy, is the antithesis of Nazism, ! Fascism, New Guardism and Legion- , ism. I would recommend the vocifer- j ous mouthpieces of the Legion, »o j take the advice of a hardened sinner, j

and away from the hurly-burly of degrading politics, for fear it loses any virtues it may possess, and before *t becomes more basely contaminated, 1n its contact with other political factions, i I suggest it betakes itself to the mountain tops or perhaps the ski-ing grounds, to enjoy the pure exhilarating air, but during the intervals in the midst of their enjoyment, ponder why it is such recreation is not available to all who desire, and not only the prerogative of the few. And does this assist to banish party? Remember also that in the final analysis, such prepared places of relaxation, are only made possible, by the application of brain, brawn and muscl® in the extraction of fruits of the soil, by the tillers thereof; but, who broadly speaking, are unable to buy an extra pair of bootlaces, let alone buy paraphernalia for, and travel scores of miles to those fields of recreation. What is the policy of the Legion? To my mind the following lines are applicable; probably only a mild description —- I pledge myself, through thick and thin, to labour still with zeal devout, To get the out, poor fellows! In, and turn the ins, the wretches! out. I pledge myself, though much bereft of ways and means of ruling ill, To make the most of what are left, and stick to all that's muddy still. I am, etc., H. TRITT. Fairlie,' September 14.