WHAT IS TIE WELFARE LEAGUE ?

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 134, 2 March 1920, Page 7

WHAT IS TIE WELFARE LEAGUE ?

OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF ITS

PRINCIPLES

ITS WORK BEING RECOGNISED

It would appear that wrong inipres-. sions exist in tho minds of a number of peoplo respecting tho Welfare League, its objects and its work, n Inquiries from various quarters have led tho National K.wutive to draft a statement of its .position, in which it says: Tho Welfaro League is,simply an organisation formed by a number of responsible • citizens who have seen the great' necessity for reconstruction after the war, and aro making'a practical effort'to grapple with some of tho important problems of our time. The league is not a political party, nor ileus it dm at being such. 'It is not associated with any of the political parties—Reform, Liberal, or Labour. It is not an ephemeral body, but has come to stay as long as the need for reconstructive thought, criticism, and work is required. It is not in the least bound to the Employers* Federation or associations, and will as freely criticise tho em■ployety as any others where the common weffarq is concerned. The league is open'to all citizens who agree with its principles, and wish to assist in its work- whilst it-is gratifying to find that the work is being appreciated by the interest manifested in various quarThe qfficial statement of the league's principles are.here presented: • (1) The league is the only national or'ganisation in the Dominion which is nonparty and non-sectarian, and which is notorganised for tho protection or furtherance of any sectional interests. (2), It aims at 'securing the greatest measure of common welfare for the. people individually mi collectively. (3) It exists in order to organise tho men and women, who desire sound progressive government of all the Dominion's affairs, independent of class and party distinctions. (4) It favours a policy of constant revision of the existing conditions of society with, the object of eliminating what is'evil, unjust, and harmful, and of preserving what is right and helpful for the general welfare. (5) It opposes the. extremes of revolutionism and', conservatism as being detrimental to'the best interests of the State. .•(G) It supports the legitimate rights and claims of tho worker, and the salaried ' classes as expressed in terms of human betterm'ent; . ~ (7) It leeks to assist in the education of public opinion on questions of social science and the political and industrial problems of the day. (8) It will act as a publicity department for the dissemination of useful information bearing upon the health and well-boing of children, tho relationship of employers and employees,. the Mganis-. ing of production and distribution, the regulation of consumption, cost of government, wages and prices.-and generally in legard to questions of government, systems, organisation, and methods ofoontrol in the interests qf the welfare and happiness of the peoplo. * (9) It will promote tho selection ofsuitable and responsible persons as candidates for. Parliament and other nublio positions, and support these oandidatoa solely on the ground of the probable value of their public service, and without regard to party, class, or sectional interests. ■ ■ .

(10) It will encourage the selection of persons having special knowledge or experience for the purpose of assisting in tho settlement of particular - problems, of political, industrial, or social adminis- ■ tration,

(11) It "Will assist wherever possible towards bringing about n better understanding bstween Capital and Labour' by affirming-the need for closer co-opera-tion, the cxeroiso of mutual forbearance, and the recognition by each of tho essen. tial needs and responsibilities attaching to the other. ;' • •■"■-'"

;. (12)' It will readily join forces with other bodies having similar purposes and objects to attain.