THE WELFARE LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 153, 24 March 1919, Page 6

THE WELFARE LEAGUE

PROGRAMME'FURTHER

EXPLAINED

"THE TREMENDOUS PROBLEMS OF REORGANISATION"

A statement regarding the constitution and aims of the recently-formed New Zealand Welfare League was made in, Auckland last week by a gentleman who had assisted to form the league at the cc.nference in Wellington. The delegate said that the conference was attended by representatives from various centres in the North and South Islands, and was chiefly conspicuous for the surprising ei-ruostness of the delegates, many of whom confessed that, prior to the war, they had taken little or no interest in politics. "We aro in now," they said, "not. because we are concerned about any political party. What we are concerned about is the welfare of our country, and we see blue ruin ahead unless the country is roused to tho necessity of making some attempt to solvo the extraordinary problems confronting us." The constitution, of the Welfare League has already been published, and while its first plank is anti-Bolshevism, the league, says the Auckland delegate, intends also to grapple with such important problems as the relations between Capital and Labour, the absorption of our soldiers into civil life, and other mutters of social and ccciomic interest. There is also a unanimous desire to deal with the issues arising out of the increased cost of living and the all-absorb-ing question of profiteering. The league recognises that these problems aro not easy of solution, but they will certainly not be overcome by merely talking about them.

"Wo have repeatedly been agked," the delcKiito continued, "Who is to be your leader in the House?" Our answer- to Hint question is that at present we are not concerning ourselves overmuch on this point; our chief object just now is to join up all responsible electors and to select as our Parliamentary candidates Rood eound men, who will beVapable'of dealing with the tremendous problems of reorganisation; men who realise the futility of meeting the burden of our huge war debt by a policy of restricted output, and are not afraid to say bo. "It is no time for disunion on tho old party lines. There will be no second ballot at the next poll, and disunion may give the victory to those noisy and unpatriotic extremists who. while preaching Bolshevism, unblushingly assert that they are tho champions of Labour. Personally lam convinced that siine Labour will not follow leaders of this sort. But some sections of Labour have real grievances, and unless these grievances aro handled wisely and sympathetically many' men- may bo driven into the arms of the extremists from sheer desperation. Tho Welfare League intends to use its influenco to have these prievances removed, and when our organisation is completed we will make an honest attempt to get at the source of the discontent which apparently exists among all classes. "An impression seems to have got abroad that we are connected with n particular party, which is being formed by members of Parliament. I wish to say most emphatically that we have no connection, nor have no any understanding, with any party in thn House. The ltnßiio. will support the man whom it considers the best candidate in overy constituency, provided he will conform to our broad national platform. Anyhow, that is the intention of its promoters."