FARMERS AND POLITICS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 126, 28 May 1919, Page 7

FARMERS AND POLITICS.

I ■"■— •— ■ "THE PARTY QUESTION."

AN AMENDMENT CARRIED. EXECUTIVE TO DRAW UP PLATFORM. TO BE SUBMITTED TO CANDIDATES. A remit from the Huntly West branch of the Farmers' Union, urging the formation of a farmers' political party, for the abject of protecting the interests of the farming community, ""which were gravely threatened, both politically and commercially," evoked considerable interest at the Farmers' Union Conference in the Town Hall yesterday afternoon. The remit was bracketed with another from the Taneatua branch, asking for the rule of the Union debarring politics to be deleted. Mr. Johnston (Ilur.tly West) moved their adoption. He stressed the necessity for a "purely" farmers' party, one that would not be allied to any other party. The delegate from the ■ Taneatua branch seconded both. Mr. Duxtield, a member of the executive, was firmly convinced that the Union would have to identify itself in politics more definitely than it had in the past. He suggested that tha incoming exeClitive should be empowered to draw up a '"platform,*' to be submitted to tranche* for their approval. Mr. Fi-her. a member of the executive, also expressed his intention of supporting the remit. Mr. W. D. Lysnar (Gisborne) was opposed to the introduction of party polities. 'He held that the Union had sufficient power for political action under its present constitution. Mr. Hannan (Auckland branch) approved of the proposal, and advocated "practical farmer" representatives.

Mr. Thomas (an executive member) was of the opinion that if rule 23 in the constitution of the Union was given effect to they would then have a farmers' party. He advocated a progressive platform, which would be in the interests of farmers, as well as the city. population.

Mr. Moody expressed the view that neither motion was direct enought in its intention. '"No good could possibly be derived," he said, "until party politics Were done away with."

Mr. Allen Bell said that until farmers ■were represented in the House by a party of their own, the Union would continue to be an organisation beating the air. He looked forward to the time when the ■Farmers' Union and the labour organisations would be banded together.

Mr. Munro (a member of the executive) feared for the safety of the Union in the event of party politics being allowed to enter therein. He considered that unanimity of opinion amongst farmers was of vital importance. Further he considered that the matter was far too big an undertaking to be placed on the shoulders of the executive.

The President, Mr. Jas. Boddie. made it clear in reference to the Taneatua remit that the T/nion never at any time excluded polities, but that it did exclude party politics. He was most anxious that a forward movement should be adopted to place farmers in their true position in the country-, but before they could take up straight-out party politics advantageously it would first be necessary to have every farmer's support. This was the difference between Labour and the Union. Labour had the support of all its members, hut the same could i mot be said of the Farmers' Union. What they should do was to support men whose -principles and interests were the same as theire. Then put their energy into increasing the membership of the Union. ■He would not declare himself strongly one way or the other in respect to party •question. Major D. H. Lusk (a member of the executive) said that party politics had "been the curse of the Dominion. He ■favoured an entirely independent party, pledged to support the needs of their constituents. It would be necessary ihat the Farmers' Union be better supported. Only one-fourth of the farmers in the Auckland province were members. Mr. Mellsop (a member of the executive) moved an amendment providing for ihe incoming executive to draw up a platform, to be approved by branches, for placing before candidates at the forthcoming election. He considered that the Union would be endangered if party politics were brought in. Major "Uakgill (a member of the executive) seconded the amendment. He •advocated a Government for the people end not for the individual. He was opposed to the party principle. After a number of other speakers had •expressed their views, the delegates were •asked to vote on the amendment, and 1 Zi S ca 7 ied - " ™3 then submitted PS the substantive motion, and carried