ON WHICH SIDE?

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 5, 6 July 1928, Page 8

ON WHICH SIDE?

A running fire' of suggestions regarding the political views of.the Dominipn president of the New Zealand Farmers' Union (Mr. W. J. Poison) to.ok place in the House of Eepresentatiyes yesterday afternoon. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr.' H. E. Holland) was quoting an opinion expressed by Mr. Poison in regard to rural advances, and remarked: "And Mr. Polson, I understand, is a supporter of the Eeform Party." (Beform laughter.) The Prime Minister (the Eight Hon. J.'.G. Coates): "We don't know whose got him yet." (Laughter,) ... ■■ Mr. Holland: "Well, he was so much a supporter of the Eeform Party that the Prime Minister sent.him abroad." Mr. J. A. Lee (Auckland East): "A, joy-ride." Mr. Holland: "And the Prime Minister also made him a member of the I Eural Advances Board." Mr. Coates: "But that's not political." Mr..Holland: "The Prime Minister: may say it's not political, but I have never known him to put a Labour man on these boards." Mr. V. H. Potter (Koskill): "Hq wants the best man." Mr. Holland: "No doubt Mr. Potter, ■ ■with his usual modesty, wili suggest he should be on the board." Mr. Potter: "He couldn't havo done better." Mr. Holland: "There's his modesty again." (Laughter.) A little later Mr. Holland expressed the opinion that Mr. Poison did not think his way. The Prime Minster: "He doesn't.think the Government's way." Mr. H. T. Armstrong (Christchurch East): "Perhaps he doesn't think at all." (Laughter.)