FARMERS AND POLITICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 194, 16 August 1911, Page 2

FARMERS AND POLITICS.

TOLITICAL PROTECTION FEDERATION. PLATFORM SIMILAR TO REFORM LEAGUES. A special meeting of the executive of the Auckland Farmers' Union was held tins morning, mainly to discuss matters o: political interest, relative to the formjj,,_r_ u t Um recent annual conference, of a Farmers' Political Protection Federation. Major Lusk. presided, and there were prcM-nt: Messrs. J. E. Makgill, J. 11. Wynyard, R. Flannagan, R. D. Duxfield, \\" Bennett. A. A. Bowler, R. 11. MacKcnzie. A. 0. Beli, A. A. Rns 3 , and .1. K. Hamilton. Major Lusk outl/ned the discussion at the annual conference, when it was d.-cided to form a Farmers' Political Protection Federation, the objects being the return to Parliament of members pledged to support the Farmers' Union platform, irrespective of other political views. This was much the same as the Farmers' Political party, which was embraced by a remit from Auckland. The main •>ji"int in assisting this was the appointment of an organiser, and the raising of funds. Mr. Makgill said all the remits in regard to the Farmers' party were discussed in conference, and. the two remits from Auckland relative to the forming of a Farmers' Political party introduced the whole basis of the discussion, which lasted for three nights. The matter wa3 well thrashed out before the resolutions were decided on. It was generally agreed that a Farmers' party should be formed. The principles were pretty well as passed by the Auckland executive. Another motion carried was that each district, executive was authorised 'to collect a eeparai-e fund for the appointment of an organiser, so that it was left in the hands of the provincial executives to further the Federation, or whether they took any action at all. Practically th« organisation of the Farmers' Political Protection Federation was not to be a party as generally recognised now. but a federation of members to meet the interests of the farmers on questions of importance to them. Otherwise they could deal according to their own principles. As long as it was known that the Federation was aiming to benefit the country, he thought they could count on some support from the mercantile

community. Major Lusk thought that the outlook ■wa3 very hopeful, if only they could get the bulk of the farmers to recognise that it was to their interest to help the Federation. The first matter was for them to get funds and appoint nn organiser. It was incumbent upon them to do this at once, and he thought that they could get an organiser for three months, pay him a good salary and expense:*, for not more than £3OO. In addition their Farmers' Trading Association would be benefited.

In answer to a question, Major Lusk said it was not necessary to be a member of the Farmers' Union to support the Federation.

Mr. Duxfield considered the platform was fully covered by the Political Reform League, which had funds and an organiser.

Captain Col'beck was of opinion that the Farmers' Political Reform League was doing the same work, and he did not think they should interfere with this.

Continuing. Mr. Duxfield said there ■was no necessity while they had an organisation carrying out the work, to go to the expense of setting up another association.

Mr. Makgill said he did not see how they could give their whole-hearted support to the Eefonn League without identifying themselves with the party they represented. The aim of the Political Protection Federation was to organise outside all parties. If they did anything to bring in the cleft of the parties they would have thrown back their work by many years. Mr. Duxfield explained that they were not bound to a party by supporting the [League. They were simply supporting the party which was going to carry out. the pi-ants they wanted. He did not see how they were making a party question of it.

Mr. Ross did not think they were pointr to do anything in the way of uniting the farmers by advocating any party. It was well-known that the farmers were divided on political questions, and the League was too closely associated with one party.

Major Lusk said that what had been said brought them back to where they ihad been for years. They wanted to start something new, and again and again they had affirmed that they were rot going to unite themselves with cither party in Parliament. Mr. Makgill said if the whole question ■was analysed they would find that the farming community -were sick of partydominating principle. It was party they ■were up against, and they -were flphting to do away with the binding party. Mr. Dnxfield and Capt. Colbeck made a strong plea that the two planks were similar, and if they appointed an or-* paniser he would be simply preaching the same doctrine. Tn every case they would find the Opposition members answering the question satisfactorily, and it simply came to the point that they would vote for those members. Tt was not a party question. Mr. Makfrill said the six resolutions pnsßed at the conference werp the crux of the matter. If they were jroing to drop the organisation and follow one party they were goiusr to break up the union.

The matter was further discussed during the afternoon.