New Zealand Legion, Hawke's Bay Division records.

The following is extracted from: Pugh, M.C. The New Zealand Legion and conservative protest in the Great Depression. M.A. Thesis, University of Auckland, 1969.

The Depression of 1929-1935 saw the rise of a number of groups claiming to have the answer to the financial crisis. One of the largest and most extreme of these was the New Zealand Legion, which held its first public meeting in Wellington in April, 1933. Dr. Robert Campbell Begg, a Wellington surgeon and leader of the Legion, advocated a non-party political movement which would not put forward parliamentary candidates, but would use its voting power in support of men of integrity committed to no special undertaking other than that of doing their best to institute a form of government under which MP's would be free to act according to the dictates of conscience rather than that of party leadership.*

Despite its vauge aims and lack of real policy, the Legion attracted a great deal of suport from conservatives, many of whom were reluctant to concede that the economic situation required increased state activity, and condemned the Coalition Government's measures as socialistic. At the height of its popularity the movement claimed 20,000 members, although probably only 5,000 of these were active participants. Of the 700 branches formed throughout the country, those in the traditionally conservative areas of Southland, Otago, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, and Nelson were strongest.

Emphasis on over-democratic participation by all members made decision-making a slow process, and the crusade had lost its impetus by the end of 1933, despite the decision to publish the journal National opinion from August 1933. Financial and organisational difficulties increased, members were alienated and divisions all over the country gradually ceased to exist.

The failure of the New Zealand Legion can be largely attributed to the non-emergence of a strong-willed leader to unite discordant elements within the Legion. Dr. Campbell Begg, although undoubtedly sincere in his desire to improve political life, was an ineffective orator and politician. By the time the 1935 elections were held, most of the right-wing protestors had transferred their support to the National Party and the demise of the New Zealand Legion early in 1935 was scarecly noticed.

*Burdon, R.M. The new dominion, p 175.