FREEDOM ASSOCIATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 June 1939, Page 7

FREEDOM ASSOCIATION

MEETING IN MASTERTON LAST EVENING ADDRESS BY PROFESSOR A LG lE. ORGANISATION PROPOSALS SUPPORTED. “The New Zealand Freedom Association is not a new political party nor does it propose to present candidates of its own for election to Parliament. More than that, the Freedom Association is not tied in any way, directly or indirectly, with any existing political party.”—ln these words Professor R. M. Algie,. of Auckland, director of the New Zealand . Freedom ■ Association, commenced hi’s address last evening to a meeting of citizens of Masterton who nad expressed a wish to be informed Py Mr Algie as to the specific aims and objects of the association. Mr H. H. Mawley presided. Continuing his address, Mr Algie said: “If our democratic form of government is to survive, the people themselves must accept, and seek to discharge, the responsibilities and obligations involved in the main tenance of democracy. That system is the finest form of government yet evolved by man. The alternative is some form of dictatorial control accompanied by an ever-increasing measure of bureaucratic or official despotism —and we have enough and to spare of both in New Zealand at the present time.” "Broadly speaking, in our approach to the work of existing parties, we shall seek by public education to endorse the good, destroy the bad and provide alternatives,”/ said Mr Algie. “In our judgment of what may be good or bad our guide will be the fundamental principles of British freedom. In so far as the existing Government or its members is concerned, we find ourselves able to endorse the Hon. W. E. Barnard’s scheme of provisional compulsory military service. As I understand it, he would divide the country into areas, give each a voluntary quota, build up the spirit of competition and apply conscription only where necessary. That is a good plan. My personal view is that it does not go far enough. I believe that with world conditions as they are it is necessary for our youth to receive education in the means of protecting their country on a universal basis. .

CO-OPERATION IN INDUSTRY. “We can heartily endorse the Hon. P. C. Webb’s employer-employee co-op-eration scheme. It is the antithesis of the class war idea upon which. Socialism is based and if Mr Webb works sincerely in destroying class war and auilding co-operation we can only applaud his good seri'se. But where Lajour’s policy is designed to destroy liberty we shall by all the means in our power attack it. Beginning with die broad question of licensing, we shall take the legislation of regimentation and attack it piece by piece. We shall arouse this country in this matter. Tonight I seek to call you to the oanner of freedom. Tens of thousands throughout New Zealand have been asking for a lead in this matter. My association offers it. I am here to tell you about it. If you approve then your duty must be clear and I shall'ask you co join me. Success in this cannot come through me as an individual. It depends on organisation, in which you must play a part. ORGANISATION PLANS. “On its practical side, the association is now engaged upon the task of building up a strong, sound, and efficient organisation. Obviously, there must be membership and that membership must be strong numerically. The association is organised upon the basis of the establishment of service groups, each comprising some ten or twelve nembers and each presided over by a ’roup leader. These groups act as study circles and as centres of research into current political problems. In addition to this, they play their part in the organisation of meetings and in giving publicity to the activities of the association. It is one of the special aims of the association to provide a means whereby the voice of the people can be made effective and can be presented in an informed and reasonable manner to Parliament on those occasions when such action is warranted. At such times, the services of the groups will prove of immense help in securing from the people an expression of opinion and in obtaining the signatures to any petitions which it may be decided to bring forward. "People who believe in democracy and in the preservation of reasonable 1 ndividual freedom must work for it,” Mr Algie continued. Grumbling and ’rowling are not sufficient. Intelligent and well-planned action is essential. The association provides the means of supplying this need. For too long now, the attitude of very many of our people towards polities has been; 'What am I going to get out of it?’ The basic view of our service groups is: ‘What can I give in the service of my country.’ Democracy cannot, be maintained upon a philosophy of ‘getting.’ There must be more concentration upon the conception of ‘giving.’ The service of the individual is the only true basis of democratic government. PROJECTED PETITION. "Our special and immediate point of practical attack," Mr Algie went on to state, "will be in obtaining signatures io a monster petition dealing with the system of licensing and Government by Order-in-Council which has grown up over the past thirty years. Its founjation was not laid by the present Government, but the principle has been greatly misused by Labour. Public opinion alone can alter it. To assemble public opinion we must organise it and see that it is expressed. The people to talk to are the people who rule us. The people who must do the talking are the people of this Dominion—ourselves, ladies and gentlemen. It is my association’s purpose to provide you with the means of expression. It must be yours to decide whether you will act with us.” At the conclusion of the meeting the following resolution was passed unanimously and with acclamation on the motion of Mr W. R. Birch: "That this meeting expresses its approval of the academic and practical work of the New Zealand Freedom Association and requests the association to give effect to its purpose by extending its campaign for freedom throughout New Zealand." Some three-fourths of those present joined the association and nine persons volunteered to become group leaders and to form groups.