POLITICAL ISSUES

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIV, Issue 1190, 8 October 1945, Page 4

POLITICAL ISSUES

SERVICEMEN'S VIEWS

ORGANISATION FORMED TO TEST CURRENT THOUGHT

An examination of current political thought was the immediate objeqt of the Services Political Association, the first Dominion conference of which concluded in Wellington recently, according to a statement issued by Mr W. J. McKeon, who presided at the conference, which was attended by delegates from the various branches so far established throughout New Zealand.

The new organisation was in no sense a political partv. nor was it affiliated to any existing- one, said Mr McKeon. That was snown clearly in the basic resolution carried at the conference when it recommended that the political activities of the association be directed to a Dominion-wide campaign to obtain the views of all ex-service personnel on- questions of major political import and to the ex-r animation and explanation of party politics. Those views would be presented to the public by a bureau of publicity and the necessary steps would later be taken to implement the principles of the. organisation.

The object of the S.P.A. was to encourage among all citizens that spirit which existed in the services and to contribute constructively to the establishment in New Zealand of conditions which would secure that. It would aim at fostering a sense of personal responsibility to the community as a whole and at developing a strong faith and a spiritual background so as to provide the strength to achieve those aims.

Already an opinion poll had been taken from nearly 1000 ex-service-men in Wellington, the results of which indicated that many men now back in civil life were keenly interested in matters of political ideals and were searching for light after the political darkness of their years in the services. The poll system was proposed to be extended as a means of securing the views of ex-servicemen and women, and the conference had drawn up the framework of a large national organisation to implement the principles of the movement. It was not confined to those men who had served overseas, but membership was open to all who had served in uniform in the forces of the British Empire, as it was recognised that service obligations to the nation did not end with discharge from the forces but should ba continued in civil life. The Questionnaire

Here are the questions, to which a "yes" or "no" answer was to be given:—

I.—On your return was your reaction to the political situation in New Zealand favourable ?

2.—Do you feel that having returned from the war you are not "in the know" with regard to securing services and commodities that others who have not been away are able to enjoy while you cannot? 3. —Do you think that the freedom of the individual in this country is being endangered by recent enactments and Orders-in-Council?

4. —Do you approve of a referendum as a means of obtaining public opinion in new issues?

s.—Do you feel that all War Emergency Regulations will be removed as soon as possible? 6.—Do you believe that the individual should take precedence over the State in time of peace ? 7.—Do you believe in private ownership? 8. —Do you believe in the principle of compulsory trade unionism? 9.—Do you believe in the principle of voluntary trade unionism.

10.—Do you believe in compulsory military training in peace? 11.—Do you believe in the State ownership of the Trading Bank System ?

12.—D0 you believe that the Ministry of Rehabilitation is 'satisfactorily fulfilling its functions-? 13.—D0 you approve of the principle of import restrictions? 14.—D0 you approve of the principle of internal marketing control? 15.—D0 you think that the country quota should be "abolished? 16. —Do you approve of the principle that, every householder should aim at owning his own home? 17.—D0 you feel that this country is becoming "inspector-ridden?" 18. —Do you feel that the appropriate Minister should have the final say in any matter connected with justice rather than a properly constitut-, ed Court of Appeal? 19.—Are you satisfied with the present provision of war pensions? 20. —Do you approve of a two-party system in the politics of New Zealand? 21.—D0 you think that an organised and strong body of opinion from ex-service personnel would have a beneficial effect on the Government of our country?