POLITICAL PROTECTION LEAGUE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1142, 1 June 1911, Page 8

POLITICAL PROTECTION LEAGUE.

WHAT LINE TO TAKE?

An important discussion bearin" on politics arose at the Conference of Wellington branches of the Farmers' Union sitting at Woodviile yesterday. ,0" »ehalf of Levin, it was movedIhat this conference protests against any official endorsement by the union of either the Farmers' Protection League or any political lenguo in Canterbury or Auckland."

Mr. V. F. Hockly (Huntefville) suggested that the president might explain to the conference what had been done by Canterbury and Auckland. Mr. Wilson said that Canterbury were the first to. move. They found that a very strong Socialistic element existed there, and, unless they made a move a counteract it, it would be serious for the district, aud so they had started a protection league. The reason for the league was tnat they thought that it would not bo right to use the union funds for sending a man round the country to address meetings to educate farmers against Socialistic legislation. Canterbury had found that there was an undercurrent of such strong feeling that . a considerable sum of money had been subscribed to support the movement. Mr. David Jones' had been engaged as organiser. The Advisory Committee had thought'that Mr. Jones should discuss tho matter with them before starting out. A deputation had come up, and a couple of days had been spent in discussing the platform,. which did not altogether satisfy the Advisory Committee. Ho then read tho platform (previously published) which the committee had suggested, and had been accepted by Canterbury. Canterbury were starting with.the distinct understanding that they were not entering party polities at all; they were not going to contraveno the union's rules, and the Advisory Committee had thought that they would be perfectly justified in agreeing to tho platform. There had been misconception in the matter. Canterbury were simply going to. place the political position of the country before tho farmers in the Canterbury province. Auckland was not so advanced. They had written the Advisory Committee, sending a long, clear statement of what they proposed, and there was nothing in it, as far as tho Advisory Board could see, which contravened the rules of the union at all. ft had not been before the Advisory Committee formally, but informally. . Mr. Hockly said that the Canterbury and tho Auckland movements had been inaugurated to carry out tho aims which the farmers had advocated for years. They were offsprings of the union. They were not going to enter party politics, and were simply going to support men who would support them. He hoped that liis remit would be unanimously rejected. "We ran't afford to turn our backs on the men who are making this effort." Mr. Matheson: "I am in agreement with tho last speaker, but T don't think that we should officially endorse it. I think they arc doing work which is hardly needed." "Mr. Hockly: "Then why shouldn't wo officially endorse it?" Mr. Malheson: "Because we have no control over their future actions. We don't know what new clauso they may add to their platform." Mr. AVilson: "1 think it would be a great pity to pass this resolution, because it would be practically a motion of no. confidence in tho Advisory Board, who have endorsed it." A member: "Oh. we don't want that." Mr. M'Gregor (ITmitrmlle) said that ho had come to oppose the movement, but, after the president's lucid explanation, ho had altered his views.

the motion of Mr. TI. A,. Xevins (To _\ui) it was resoived: "That the Canterbury League, having laid their platform before tho Advisory Board, and received its approval, this conference sees no need to carry the remit forwarded by Levin."