FARMERS AND POLITICS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1115, 1 May 1911, Page 4

FARMERS AND POLITICS.

THE NEED FOR ORGANISATION. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) Auckland, April HO. Mr. C. H. Ensor, of Christchurch, a Canterbury farmer, who is well known In Fanners' Union circles by reason of his keen interest in the Farmers' Political Protection Federation, is at, tho present moment on a visit to Auckland. During tho course of conversation with a "Star' representative, Mr. Ensor gave- an outline of the rise and progress of tho federation of which ho is treasurer. Tho political movement, he said, was started in Chrisichurcli übout July last ns tho result of reeentment felt at a remark passed in the Canterbury Farmers' Union Executive that farmers should not take any interest in politics. "Many of us considered," he tafd, "that the trades unions and other organisations of voters aro making their influence, so strongly it-It in politics that unless the farmer organises his voters, mid organises them strongly, his influence on tho politics of this country will be very small. It was for that reason we sot about getting up u fund for the purpose of paying: organisers and organising our voters in the same manner that trades unions, Socialists, and single-taxers aro doing. We recognised that the politics of Australia have already got into the hands of the trades unions, who there had sixty organisers at work before the last Federal election."

Mr. Eiisor stated that, ho was merely taking a holiday in tho North Island at present, but he took a keen interest >n the federation, and he intended seir.ing every chance of meeting the Farmers' Union Executive here and trying to induce them to follow tho lines taken in Canterbury. The Christclnirch Executive had authorised the political move; it was ratified by tho Dominion .Executive and Provincial Executives in Canterbury. The movement had gone very well under the guidance of the chief organiser (Mr. David Joius), a llucnt speaker and a mail well versed in polities. "It is not at present intended to form a farmers' political party," replied Mr. Ensor to a question bearing on the point. "Wo have a policy or platform lajd down for submission to candidates for . Parliamentary honours. It docs not matter whether he is a member of the Government or of the Opposition party; if he pledges himself to support our policy he will receive our combined vote." Whether the federation could make Itself felt at the forthcoming Parliamentary election or not depends on how tne farmers of the North Island look upon the matter, Mr. Ensor said. 11l Cantorbury it certainly would have an effeot, "If the people buck up they can have a farmers' Parliament instead of what is practically a Parliament of non-farmers," Mr. Ensor will meet members of the Auckland Farmers' Union Executive at a, social at Clevedou. On Monday he will start back for the south, going.by way of Gisborno and Napier.