THE NEW LEGION

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1933, Page 2

THE NEW LEGION

INSISTENCE UPON DISCIPLINE

THE PLEDGES REQUIRED.

WELLINGTON, February 23

The. constitution and rules of the New Zealand Legion movement, in respect of which it was alleged in Christchurch that it wag Fascist! in outlook, ar e set out in printed forms, copies of which were made available to-day. This reveals sever e insistence upon discipline, and Hie complete detail- of the organisation, which in some respects are (strikingly similar in character to those of the Italian organisation.

The subscription is a shilling per annum and members are required to attach" theniselvt'e to'‘‘the lobdl centre, and, on joining, are obliged to take the Legion’s pledge.

DISCIPLINE CLAUSES, There are no fewer than seven discipline clauses, - which make it obligatory to members to act in, conformity with the instruction and wishes of the committee of their centre, and to undertake any duties assigned to them, including standing as candidates for any local body, if requested to do .so by the division council,. Provision is made for the investigation of charges against any member for violating his obligations, and poll's are, taken to admonish, reprimand, or . expel him from' th e Legion. Any member who on consiientious grounds finds himself unable to subscribe to any policy of the National Council, honestly believing that gucli policy is detrimental to national welfare, may resign his membership, and request the return of bis card of. obligation, If fhe Council is j satisfied that the motive behind the j resignation is not a desire to avoid the duties imposed by membership of the Legion, or to- further any personal or sectjonal interest- contrary to the spirit of the obligation, or to evade any j reprimand, expulsion, 0 r other penalty J which he may hav e incurred through a breach of the rules or the obligation. Members of the Legion are barred from standing for any public offity unless they receive the assent of the National or Divisional Council, and shall withdraw from any contest at any stage iff requested to do so by the governing j authorities.

SELECTION OF CANDIDATES. I Ten clauses dealing with the solec- : tion of Parliamentary candidates set I °ut that selection rests with the National Council, and that every member lequbsted to stand shall i]ie expected to do so. Jf elected to Parliament, th» i Legion member shall consider himself a member of the deliberate body c oiu sidering national questions, and not a special advocate for fc]m needs of his own district. ,Member* 0 f the Leg to n generally are required- bv,rule to avoid influencing any Legion member of Parliament by interview or any other repiesventation, and ai/; obliged to prevent and discounter ance in every .way any attempt by </ther members of his electorate to influence the, mem- i be r «s attitude when any decision • is pending in Parliament. Infringe-! inerts, r-.f this mle are to bp com. municated to the Bividonru! Pound 1 . » A embers of the Legion con testing Parliamentary t?ent«. will violate their obligation if they give pledges. They are at liberty to di Spues matters or political interest in a censra] way, and to- give their views, but are required to nmv it clear that thev reserve •absolutely the right to vote according to their conscience .after hfviw ■ heaid. all sides. This rule will not

exc'iud a the candidate from advocating a les<> costly and more effectiv e form

of .government-, or administration, and ikhou.ld the National Council formulate

a- policy in this respect it shall be the 'duty of every member standing for I public ofl,vv> to subscribe to it without ' regard to The effect it will liar,3 upon his awn position if carried. The Legion is to have power to select

candidates f. Mm its ranks lor national

' and local l tody elections, basing its choice on t,h e experience, ability and integrity of t’2o .candidate, though all members are under an obligation to stand if requ< *5 ted. OASES OF HARDSHIP. The miles pro vid (J for the consideration oif cases oi’ hardship and the organisation is a 'refillly covered by ■raieis. Tlhe Logics i is to be divided into eighteen divisions, each division being governed by a Divisional Council, consisting of representatives of centres within the division. These c e ntre<s in turn will he governed by an elected committee, and further | sub-divisions may be parried out wber« j it is considered - leg’cable. LHeh j Divisional Council shal 1 eject its own i president, nvho is the divisional representative on the Xai'ional Council, j Th p fatter shall elect a president, who 'is. to 'bp cabled the lender of the Legion throughout New Zealand. Dr "Regg states That no credence .should be attached to any alleged rules or constitution of th e Legion, dvo rules or eorst'.tutjon «"'e yet in ed steppe. be vend Die .four main objects already published, Ah; Jr .1./., i. ...