AGRICULTURAL BANK.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 182, 1 August 1923, Page 7

AGRICULTURAL BANK.

NOT A PARTY MEASURE. UNION PRESIDENT INDIGNANT. i'By Telesrraph. -Press .Association.> WELLINGTON, this day. What Mr. W. J. Poison, president of the New Zealand Farmers' Union described as the all important subject of agricultural hanking tame up for consideration at the annual conference of the union to-day. The question was brought up on the following resolution, which hnd been agreed to by the com-

mittee of the union: "That this ronference oii'lorsrs the principle of the Agricultural Bank Bill, and presses on the Government the importance of providing necessary legislation during the present session of Parliament."

Mr. Poison said he was sorry that a statement had appeared in the Press almost implying that he had practically sold the Farmers' Union in handing a copy of the union's bill to the Leader of the Opposition for party purposes. He had given a flat contradiction to that Statement, but had not seen his denial published. He again repudiated in the most emphatic manner any allegation that had been made that Mr. Wilford'e bill was a measure introduced entirely on his own initiative. Apparently, on perusing the bill of the Farmers' Union. Mr. Wilford decided it was better than his own, and. with certain alterations. '«• hud adopted the union's measure. Mr. Poison scouted the suggestion that the question of party had entered into the matter. He added that if members of the union were united they could carry out the project of an agricultural bank to a successful iseue.