A POLITICAL UNION

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 26, 30 July 1927, Page 8

A POLITICAL UNION

The Farmers' Unioa, after long hesitation, has adopted the principle of political action, but has given no indication of tho way in which it proposes to take such action. Without such an indication it is difficult to express an opinion of the decision. Political action may mean anything, or it may mean nothing. it may mean the formation of a farmers' party, or a farmers' bloc within a party. An organisation denling with affairs which have a political aspect cannot eschew politics completely. Indeed, it must enter upon political ground to fnrthor the attainment of many of its aims. Such political action moy take the form of representations to the Government of the Day, public advocacy of certain tcforms, and, at election times, examination of tho views of candidates. On ! these lines political action may be taken legitimately and with advantage by non-political bodies—chambers of commerce, farmers' unions, industrial associations. As the Fanners' ! Union, however, has already done such things as these we assume that its decision means that it will now do more. AVhat moro can it do unless it proceeds to party activity? S ucn a movement, we believe, will be bad for Iho farmers, and bnd for the country. It will drive a wedge into tho community, splitting it in a way that must hinder tho co-operation essential for X)rogress. Hitherto thorc has been no country party and no town party in Parliament. Tho Ecform Party is generally regarded as leaning to the country, but it has had strong town support, and it ' has not held a monopoly of country' representation. If pressure is now to be exercised to emphasise country leanings—either with Keform or any other party—similar pressure will come from other quartora for other purposes. A bloc can exercise influence only by buying and selling support, not in cash, of course, but with vote* and measures for other votes and measures. Such bargaining i» demoralising. If the pressure is made through a party instead of a bloc, antagonism of interests which should not bo antagonistic must follow. These are considerations which should weigh with the Farmers' Union. At present it is probable that many farmers are dwelling too much upon the statement that tho prosperity of the country depends upon the prosperity of the primary producers—which is only a half-truth. It is half untrue inasmuch as it suggests that measures to help the farmers, without regard for others, should be the sole consideration. In actual practice farmers can be benefited permanently only by measures which do no injustice to other sections. A party which is one-eyed by nature or has one eyo closed by force is likely to fall into the error of sceii}g_qnj# efie-^icte-g£..% : ca«§ t