LEGION PLANS AND IDEAS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19628, 24 October 1933, Page 3

LEGION PLANS AND IDEAS.

To the Editor of “ The Tlmaru Herald ” Sir,—After an interval, we have been given another opportunity to read the words of a real live Legion member. Mr D. M. Robertson, is not a prattler out of the Legion rank and file. He is the secretary of the New Zealand Legion, and he is usually domiciled in Wellington. So, it would be a pity to use severe criticism and kill Mr Robertson's generous desire to explain the Legion. Moreover, because of chivalry alone, his letter must be treated with gentle tenderness. Mr Robertson’s signature to the letter gives the immediate impression that the letter should contain sound logic and reasonableness; but, as gently as possible, it must be said that a perusal of the letter does not reward this impression. After the letter is read, the reader is disappointed. Mr Robertson must be a reasonable man, but the cause he supports is not a reasonable cause and therefore, his letter is not a reasonable letter. With ever so much gentleness, let it be stated that Mr Robertson’s letter does not merely contain unreasonable statements, but it also contains some astounding assertions. The instances are very numerous. “Democracy,” he writes, “does not exist in New Zealand.” This statement is not merely astounding but, seeing that it is contained •in Mr Robertson’s letter, it is particularly absurd. Democracy is representative government by the people. New Zealand approaches this ideal as near as any other country in the world, and perhaps nearer than any other country has ever approached the ideal. The principle of liberty practised by New Zealand, is not excelled by any other country in the world. Mr Robertson cannot point to a country which grants its subjects greater religious and political liberty than New Zealand. It speaks much for New Zealand's spirit of toleration, when a calumnious political organisation like the New Zealand Legion can receive such a patient hearing in the land. But, Mr Robertson is a member of this political organisation which would at least restrict New Zealand's freedom by preventing New Zealand people from forming political parties; and the absurdity of Mr Robertson’s argument is exemplified by the fact that his particular political organisation advocates, as its main objective, the abolition of political organisations. He might as well argue that if a person suffered with a pimple on his face, he should cut off his head to cure it. The spirit of freedom is a principle bequeathed to New Zealand from the Homeland. It is a principle which has grown through centuries. It is a principle which has been won by civil war, ar 1 hardship and bloodshed. No people will lose even the smallest part of their freedom without taking a stand to protect that freedom. But, for the purpose of argument, let us suppose that all the people in New Zealand who respect toleration, fell asleep; and still further, let us suppose that because of this special lapse of intelligence, the New Zealand Legion established itself in power. The Legion would be in power, but no power on earth could cause the people of New Zealand to wake possessed of the one and same political opinion. Many people would still possess the desire to form a party in order to protect their special opinion. How would the New Zealand Legion suppress that desire? The question is quite gentle, but the demand for Mr Robertson's answer :s imperative. The human race is gregarious by nature. When man was primitive, that was one reason why the tribe was formed; and to-day, when man is civilised, that is one reason why we have countries and cities and towns; it is one reason why wc have associations and organisations. Indeed, it is one of the reasons why we have political parties. By expounding the arguments of the Legion, Mr Robertson has forgotten one of the fundamental maxims of psychology; he has forgotten that if men possess a common interest, it is only natural for them to unite in order to protect that interest. If Mr Robertson refers to the sciences relating to man’s activities, he will discover that there are many strong and definite causes for political parties. A study of the science of sociology alone, should convince Mr Robertson that the main ideal of the Legion can never be fulfilled in a free country. Socialism is impracticable, and likewise. National Socialism is also impracticable. It is true that National Socialism is in power in some countries, such as Switzerland, which has two nationalistic parties, and Germany and Italy which have one each; but, it is also true that National Socialism has inflicted a gross and calamitous injury on those countries. The New Zealand Legion proclaims that it stands for idealism, and one local member frequently states that we cannot progress without idealism. That statement 's' correct, but the grievous fault is that the Legion has very few ideals worth designation, and it has fewer ideals really worth proclamation. In *ts search for so-called idealism, the Legion has ignored the cardinal attributes of human nature, and it has also igsored the cardinal facts relating *o the human race. However, this letter cannot extend much further into your space, and unfortunately, Mr Robertson's letter has many more incorrect contents. This is only to be expected, because Mr Robertson devotes some of his letter to Dr Begg's immigration scheme. "It is," he write I ', "a stupendous conception.” It is so. Mr Robertson will notice that the conception receives more detailed treatment in a subsequent letter replying to the legends of the Legion’s "Legionnaire." Therefore, in this letter it will suffice to state what the conception is doing for the Legion. On the 18th of this month, a North Canterbury Legion branch held a special meeting. "The reason for calling this meeting,” said the chairman, "is that we understand that there i> considerable dissension between the executive of our division in Christchurch, and the Wellington division about the schemes which certain members of the Wellington division have recently been

opoundlng." "I think Dr Campbell Begg has made a fool of the Legion,” said another member. "This scheme of his has done It a great deal • f harm, and if this sort of thing goes on

I. for one, shall resign." "Such schemes as these will cause a split in the Legion,” stated another speaker, “and we shall lose 75 per cent of our members,” Speaking on an amendment to a censure motion, one speaker added that he thought Dr Campbell Begg ought to be gagged. Very certainly, we can agree with Mr Robertson when he states that Dr Begg’s scheme is a stupendous conception. Of course, Dr Begg is noted for his stupendous conceptions. He started stamp scrip, and the scheme for the nationalisation of land. But, It must be admitted that he made the greatest mistake when he started the New Zealand Legion. It is regrettable, but consideration for space r-ust prevent a reference to many more statements in Mr Robertson's letter. Mr Robertson can be assured that even though his letter is horribly unreasonable, he is regarded with no animosity. Unfortunately for its New Zealand Secretary, the Legion is a frail composition; its literature contains no reason; its plans contain no sense; and now, dissatisfaction is growing between groups of its own members. It can be safely predicted that the Legion will fade away. Soon, its remnant will not even be the shadow of a shade. —I am, etc., NOTA BENE. Timaru, October 20.