WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1933, Page 3

WELLINGTON TOPICS

(Special Golrespondent.)

WELLINGTON, August 23

The New, Zealand Legion, to which Dr It. 'Gam.pbelt''.Begg,-and . his whole hearted colleagues, have.- given such vigorous , and capable attention during the last our or-five mouths, apparently is not going to-be. left alone in repairing the shaken constitution of this much perturbed. country. Some weeks ago the local. evening paper let its readers know that of ■ the Coalition party in the House, of Representatives had gathered -in Wellington for the purpose of discussing various aspects,of the Government’s policy, particularly those parts of it pressing unfairly, up,op , the.-, people of. the city, and suburban areas. It is expected that,.some, steps will. be.; taken in this respect when Parliament meets towards the end. of (next month;,' and that Mr Forbes and Mr Coates will be reminded •of - the fact- that the rural community is not alone in needing consideration and assistance - Meanwhile, it is more, or less interesting to-learn that a new organisation has been established,in and about Auckland styled the New Zealand Federation, in which, Mr J. 8.-. • McDonald, who .was Postmaster. General in the Ward and Forbes United Governments, is chairman., while. Mr A; J. St/all,worthyl, Minister, of, Health,, in the .same,? Government, ,:is vice-chairman with- MF JCapgUley as secretary a n d treasureri -- It/ must be; confessed - that lieither Mr,J)onald nor - Mr Stall worthy, mad© any very striking figure in. the; Ward Government,, ;or- in the Forbes; Government, and >prhbably -Mr Donald) did'wisely in eschewing- another con-test-in 1931, when Mr- Schramm) 'inj a field of five Secured- the abandoned sfi.it vrth a vote of- 3.893 in a total of '9,344.- Mr Stallworthy held his seat, without a portfolio,- with 4,860 votes against a scattered minority of 6,639 votes. ? ’ '

T* The five-essential planks of • the Political Federation, proclaimed by Messrs Don';' Id "■ and Stallworthw; are as follows; ,(I) in government to' resorf to( methbers the power and fesponsibility in, legislation, ’ which, it is* claimed) lias been,'usurped by the party leaders, - and. to- check government by Order-riri-Gouncil; (2) a reduction in taxation, 'and removal .of undue restrictions lipon-trade and industry ; (3); provision of > employment at' adequate wages by land settlement j stimulation of primary and secondary j industries and trades in all their j branches, anif ; public works of- a proi ductve or necessary and permament character;• (4l a currency controlled; by the- State; with; the . sole right ..of note issue; and.. (o) care of. the yoitrig people. -These five essentia]. planks are followed by a 'pilh ’of'mdditibnai proposals which; doubtless; will be circulated in due. course to the advantage of the community at- large. • There can 'be ho ! the. world of the good; intentions of Mr Donald ami Mr ' Stallwdrthy, hdr ; indeed of Mr j Caughley,.the secretary and treasurer of the Political Federation, who will have to bear a large measure of the hard. work of this undertaking ; but it is important the. public should ! un-i derstand plainly the character, of -the •adventure on which these gentlemen are embarking. Dr Campbell Begg ■and his colleagues by this time have fairlv well informed the public throughout, the. Dominion Vis to the nature and the nurpose .of their Legion, but "Mr Donald and Mr Stallworthy, while indicating many , big: undertakings they have in view, have not mentioned ajaydefiite system by which they are to be approached by a interested ' public. The Federation reaches) much further out ..than does, the Legion, but its proposals are much; les-s (.lucid than are-j those , of; its contemporary. ” , ■ |