WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 March 1933, Page 3

WELLINGTON TOPICS

THE NEW ZEALAND LEGION

AWAKENING THE PEOPLE

(Special Co-respondent).

The local newspapers whne opening their columns widely to the clarion call of the “New Zealand Legion” have not yet. committed themselves to the acceptance of the political reforms by which this organisation hopes to save the Dominion from “inevitable destruction ’ Yet there was a ring in the speeches cle’ivorecl by Dr, Campbell Begg and Sir W. E. Leicester in a crowded hall in the . Capital City ‘at • the week-end,, .which, obviously moved*tbe audience to attention. “I aiu quite convinced,”, spiel Dr Begg, after indicating the nature 0 f the movement; “thnCThe lenders of the country, the lea<3s^.''of the press, I venture to say the leaders of the Church, a'ii'd practically’-'' every strong movement in this' country,' will be behind the ideals' and the Work which; the Legion will have, to accomplish.” If his .audience represented the enthusiasm of tile public the doctor will, not- lack approbation for his movement.

PARLIAMENT IN THE FUTURE

[ PiPbably ■at This sta’gfe"’ of lifs campaign Dr Begg knows more.’ about his profession that he does about polities.;, but lie obviously is bent upon mastering 'both■■'these problems. The Legion, he told his eager listeners., was .not political party; but a movement of the people outside the House. The Legion would assist members of the existing Par.inment- with its co-operation and. advice in the. matter of Government. Tn tlie event of a general election, no visualized a Parliament consisting of a certain .number of ine-mbeo of the three parties in the House, reinforced by members, of the Legion who - had never been in the House before; who were being induced ,to preoare them-, selves for that high office. These trained members, it . seems, would form a National Government which would go to the people “pledged only to put. into, being the best form of Government;” This would be a revolution; indeed.

SOME PRESENT OBSTACLES,

Should the Legion, Party ever come into office, “pledged piily ,to„ put into being the best form'of./Goi\iernment,'’ it wdiihl encounter difficulties which apparently it has hot vet seriously contemplated. There is, for instance, the ■system of election to the House of representatives in this country. ni

the general election of little more than fourteen months ago the Labour Party with 48,863 votes within the Ahcklarid City erea secured seven seat? in Parliament, while the Coalition Party with 44,654 votes secured only three seats. In Wellington, with six seat's in' the City area, the Labour Party with 39,426 votes secured live seats while the Coalition Party "with 34.632 votes secured only one. in 'Christchurch the Coalition Party was in much the same case. While the Labour Party with 33.301 votes secured cnV four seats, the Coalition Party with 31,785 votes secured only two seats. Hern is a. problem the Legion could not ignore.

PRACTICAL REFORM

No one can doubt the sincerity of the promoters and members of the New Zealand Legion; hut it will net be surprising if quite a .number of practical people doubt the ' feasibility of their scheme. To begin with the Legion will have to get rid of a Parliament which has taken to itself a' life of Jour years —and mnv take more—amt when it has accomplished this it will have to repair the whole of the Constitution of flic Dominion in order that the rights of the democracy may he definitely secured. That there is need for reform both in the constitution of Parliamentand in its representation goes without saving, hut such reform cannot ho effected out o c h°nd by o 1 o r tipg : fresh members of Parliament and then - ascertaining the nature of the -views they entertain. The Legion itself must first; coihe down to earth.