N.Z. LEGION

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 465, 24 February 1933, Page 5

N.Z. LEGION

(Press Assn.-

NEW MOVEMENT STRICTLY ORGANISED BODY MODELLED UPON FASCISTI DIS CIPLINETMP O SED

-By Telegrnpfi — iGopyrlglit)

' Wellington, Thursday. The constitution and rules of the New Zealand Legion movement, which it is alleged in Christchurch, is Fascisti in outlook, are set out in printed forms, copies of which were made available to-day. This revea,ls a severe insistence upon discipline and complete details of organisation which, in some respects, are strikingly similar in character to those of the Italian organisation. The objects of the Legion are set out:— (1) The Legion represents an emergency movement to meet a na- i tional crisis. (2) It aims at organising the whole ; of the people of New Zealand j for the safety and security of j the Dominion. (3) It proposes by means of organised and direct voting power that the people themselves secu-re a Government eomposed of men and women of integrity and intellect- freed from the trammels of sectional pressure and aetuated solely by the motive of patriotic effort for the sake of their country. '' (4) Its sole aim is more. efficient government. central and local, and government based on national, not sectional interests. Its pledge is loyalty to the Constitution and membership is open to men and women over the age- of 18. The subscription is one shilling per annum. Members are required to attach themselves to a local centre and on joining, are obliged to take the Legion's pledge. There are seven discipline clauses and provision is made for investigation of charges against any member for violating his obligation and powers are taken to admonish, reprimand or expel him from the Legion. Members of the Legion are barred from standing for any public ofiice unless they receive assent of the national or divisional council and shall withdraw from any contest at any stage if requested to do so by the governing authorities. Parliamentary Choice Clauses dealing with the selection of Parliamentary candidates set out that the selection rests with the National Council and that every member requested to stand shall be expected to do so. If elected to Parliament, the Legion member shall consider himself a member of a delib'erative body considering national questions and not a special advocate for the needs of his own district. He must not give pledges nor shall any member of the legion attempt to influence him when any decision is pending in Parliament. The organisation is carefully covered by rules. The legion is to be divided into 18 divisions, each division governed by a divisional council consisting of representatives of the centres within the division. Each divisional council shall elect its own president who is the divisional representative on the national council. The latter shall elect a president- who is to be called the leader of the Legion throughout New Zealand.