N.Z. LEGION

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 490, 25 March 1933, Page 5

N.Z. LEGION

iPress. Assn.-

WELL ATTENDED MEETING FORMS BRANCH IN CHRISTCHURCH "POLITICAL SMOOGERS"

— By Telegraph — ( "oi*yright ) .

Christchurch, Fl'iday. Support for the New Zealand Legion was promised by those who attended a large and representative meeting held in Christchurch at which Dr. Campbell Begg', the originator of the movement, explained the aims and objects of the legion. ^ There were more than 80 present, including many well-known city business men, farniers from outlying districts, and members of the legion. Mr. S.^ G. Holland, president of the Christchurch Citizens' Association was in tho chair. Addresses were given by Dr. Begg and Mr. John Macg'ibbon. Dr. Begg was of the opinion that the whole of the personnel of the present House was honest in its endeavours, but the continual heckling and worrying of the electors prevented Ministers putting through legislation in the form in which it would be passed if they had only a broad national viewpoint to consider. He said the object of the legion was to sweep away the shackles which prevented legislators from giving eff.ect to their real intentions. It was absolutely necessary that the functions of tho Government in respect to parochial matters should be decentralised, so that Cabinet Ministers should not be worried about the need for a bridge "over a creek" or a boundary fence for a rabbit board. Mr. S. G. Holland pointed out that under the present political system a member had to be particularly careful if he wished to secure any adr vancement in his own party, and the consequence was that New Zealand had bred a team of "political smoogers," who ha4 to keep on side with their leaders in order to make their future seeure. • ; - • At the conclusion of the meeting practically the whole bf the atidience signed memhership cards.