"AN ALARMIST."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 134, 8 June 1936, Page 9

"AN ALARMIST."

FARMERS' PROTEST. MR. POL-SON CRITICISED. " HARMING THE UNION." (fly Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) PALMERSTON NORTH, this day. Members of the Manawatu provincial executive of the Farmers' Union on Saturday strongly criticised the action of the Dominion president of the union, Mr. W. J. Poison, M.P., "in touring the country and stirring up opposition to thu Government's farming legislation." The meeting passed a resolution dissociating the executive from the views expressed by Mr. Poison. Mr. G. J. Wild said Mr. Poison had been touring the country stirring up antagonism against legislation that was being passed, and he took exception to Mr. Poison's saying that resolutions had been passed endorsing his views. Mr. Poison had spoken about confiscation of produce, but the speaker thought farmers did not "care a rap" where their produce went so long as they received a reasonable return. Mr. Wild then submitted the motion that was eventually passed.

"I think Mr. Poison is nothing but an alarmist, and is frightening the farmers before it is necessary," said Mr. W. G. Shannon, in seconding the motion.

Mr. J. Boycc said Mr. Poison was doing a lot of harm to the union in "stamping around the country." The country was in a mess, and the Labour Government was trying to clean it up and give everybody a fair chance. "I think we are making ourselves ridiculous by passing motions of this nature," said the chairman, Mr. N. Campbell. He added that he did not think criticism should go forth and the public be told that the union itself was not unanimous in its opinions. Mr. E. O. Bond claimed that Mr. Poison wa« not putting up a fight because he was trying to get farmers to disagree on something neither he nor they yet understood. "I think that in a few months' time Mr. Poison will be the new leader of the National party," said Mr. G. Clunie. "In the meantime he is taking a line of action which can only break a certain amount of unity that has been achieved between town and country." He added that a few months ago the Manawatu executive had passed a resolution asking for Mr. Polson'e resignation, but no action had been taken by the Dominion executive.