“VOICE OF THE PEOPLE”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 November 1939, Page 3

“VOICE OF THE PEOPLE”

N MOVEMENT LAUNCHED IN WELLINGTON. WAR AND OTHER PROBLEMS. WELLINGTON. This Day. A largely attended meeting, stated to be representative of all sections of the community was held in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall last evening to consider current national f problems. Mr E. R. Toop presided. I The followng statement was issued to j the Press: — 3 To report that the meeting was j crowded would be an understatement. 3 The chairman stated in his opening re- , marks that the committee had been I deluged with applications for tickets. but unfortunately the accommodation on this occasion was limited, and it , was necessary to disappoint many ’ people. An explanation of the aims and ideas of the movement was given by the t chairman as follows: — j 1. To be the voice of the people, rejecting bureaucratic government that ( infringes the freedom of the individual. , and violates the principles of Christian and British democracy. 2. To support any government whose ’ loyalty to party will be subordinated to loyalty and service to the people. 3. To resist thosis forces that would , make the individual subservient to the i State. He explained that though non-party, the organisation must aim to be a force to influence politics or Government in the interests of all sections, and par- , ticulary of the rank and file of the people. Strong emphasis was laid on the necessity of ensuring and supporting New Zealand’s war effort, and it was stressed that nothing must be done by either the Government or any section of the people to nullify this effort. A special appeal was made to employers to retain their staffs, even though it entailed sacrifice, because only by showing some willingness to make some sacrifice for the common good could this be a people's movement. Speakers representing the farming industry outlined the difficulty facing j the producers in responding to England’s call for greater production of foodstuffs. A professional man gave the audience some insight into the pre-sent-day problems as they could be seen by one coming into contact with all classes. The case for the small farmer and market gardener was clearly and forcibly outlined by other speakers, and it was obvious that those present appreciated hearing something from sections of the community with whom they had little opportunity of contact. Short speeches in support from the body of the hall made it obvious that if the people present were a cross section of the community this new organisation would grow into something which must have a great bearing on the future political trend of New Zealand.

Delegates from Auckland reported on the widespread nature of the movement in their province. This spontantoneous resolution moved by one of the audience received the enthusiastic endorsement of those present: “That this meeting having heard from the chairman an outline of this movement of the people, fully endorses its aims and ideals, and pledges its whole-hearted support and resolves to work unceasingly to attain the desired results, a unified New Zealand." A strong committee exists to further the movement throughout the Wellington province, and the work of this committee will be co-ordinated with strong committees acting throughout the Dominion.