PRESIDENT CENSURED

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 288, 31 August 1929, Page 7

PRESIDENT CENSURED

CRITICISM OF MR. POLSON

“CONFIDENCE DESTROYED”

Feilding, August 30.

Mr. W. J. Polson, as Dominion president of the Farmers’ Union, was censured by the Feilding branch of the Farmers’ Union to-day, when, at a special meeting of the branch, the following motion was carried unanimously: 'That this branch of the Farmers’ Union, while recognising the work of Mr. Polson in the past, are of opinion that his attitude on the Budget proposals has destroyed our confidence, and that his position as Dominion president of the union must be reviewed / Mr. W. L. Grice (chairman) said he had called the meeting in response to many requests, as he found the opinion somewhat keen regarding the speeches of the Dominion president on the Budget. He pointed out that Mr. Polson had probably done more for the Farmers Union than any man in New Zealand except Sir James Wilson, and the position was a somewhat delicate one. Mr. A. Campbell said he had_ loyally supported the union and its president in the past, but in view of Mr. Polson’s remarks, as reported, he could not longer remain loyal to the union, unless there was some change. Mr. J. G. Eliott read a Press report, in which Mr. Polson said his constituents were his first consideration, and the member for Stratford, while not claiming lie spoke for the Farmers’ Union, said he believed he had the majority of the farmers of New Zealand behind him. Mr. Eliott furreed that Mr. Polson haft (lone very great work for the Farmers Union, but he could not represent his constituents and the Farmers’ Union too. Mr. D. L. Younger said that unless they got rid of Mr. Polson it would smash the’ Farmers’ Union. Resignations would come in in shoals. Mr. C. G. C. Dermer said this was the sort of thing they might expect through the Farmers’ Union getting involved in party politics. If their president had not become a party politician the position would not have arisen. Mr. Eliott pointed out that the Farmers’ Convention had passed a series of resolutions, and those resolutions were practically the same as the amendment moved by the Leader of the Opposition, yet Mr.'Polson had voted against that amendment. Other speakers claimed that the farmers were already paying their fair share of taxation. ~ , ~ Mr. Dermer said that would be a golden opportunity (o secure more members of the union, whereupon Mr. H. J. Booth remarked, “You will get no members till you get rid of Mr. Polson.”