FARMERS' FUNDS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 82, 16 October 1928, Page 11

FARMERS' FUNDS

POHTICAL PURPOSES ? AN EMPHATIC DENIAL An emphatic denial of the allegation that the funds of the Farmers' Union were being used to -further his candidature, was made by Mr. W. J. Poison, president of the Dominion Farmers' Union, at a meeting of the Dominion executive to-day. Mr. Poison said that since he had entered the political arena tho suggestion had been made, in fact, a statement had been made, that lie had been using the Farmers' Union for political purposes. It had been made by his opponents, and definitely made by the Minister of Lands in an open letter to the Press in Taranaki. Mr. Poison said he had not used the union in any way. He was standing as an individual, and his candidature had nothing to do with the Farmers' Union. It had also boon alleged that he was using the organisation of the union; but that was incorrect. Members of tho union who* had occupied the position of president, had stood for Parliament before. Mr. Polson characterised Mr. M'Leod's statement as absurd. The Farmers' Union was a non-party organisation entirely. Mr. M'Leod suggested that when he (Mr. Poison) was assisting to keep the organisation' out of politics he did so with his tongue in his cheek, and that he was deceiving the Farmers' Union. That was equally absurd. "You know me well enough to know that all through I have kept the organisation out of politics," he said. "I know you approve of my action, but I want to mention the matter and clear it up. Mr. W. Morrison (Wanganui) said that it was only fair that he should confirm what Mr. Poison had said. Mr. Morrison said he was one of the political committee set up 12 months ago Mr. Poison, above all others, was tho one that kept the union out of politics. It looked as though Mr. M'Leod want eel to get tho Farmers' Union behind him, and to make capital. If Mr. Polson had been standing as a supporter of the present Government they would not have heard a word about it. Mr. J. H. Joll (Hawkes Bay) said he did not see why Mr. Poison should not stand if he wanted to. ! Mr. C. C. Jackson' (Wairarapa) referred to the position in Auckland, and said that the organiser, who was an employee of the union, definitely stated at the conference that he could not get members to join the union unless he talked politics. THE COUNTRY PARTY. Mr.' Poison said the Auckland people had a County Party which was apart from the Farmers' Union, but which was run on similar lines. .The Country Party had nothing to do with the Farmers' Union, Mr. M^Leod had endeavoured to identify him with the Country Party, which was unfair. Mr. R. D. Duxfield (Auckland) suggested • that perhaps Mr. Jackson had not grasped the constitution. Mr. J. F. Neal (Marlborough) said that there was confusion in regard to Mr. Poison's position and the Country Party. Mr. Poison said he had made l statement definitely that he was standing as an independent, and that the Farmers' Union had nothing to do with it. He had nothing to do with the Country Party,- and never had had. A statement' was made that he took part in a conference at Rotorua. He met nobody at Rotorua, and took no part in any selection. He was at Rotorua for the good of his health. ' QUESTION OF SANCTION. The secretary (Colonel J. Pow) said he had had numerous inquiries into the union's position, and he had written a letter to tho Press in which it. was stated that it would not'bc advantageous to the union to enter polities, because the union contained members of all political shades. Mr. Jackson referred to tho political committee that had been set up, and the statement that sanction had been granted for the union to take part in politics. Ho declared sanction had never been granted. That was the clause that had caused/all the trouble. It was very badly worded, and had had a very bad effect on the members in the Wairarapa. Mr. Lynch: "I think you are a bit touchy." Mr. Polaon said he had not asked the conference to pass the motion unanimously. It was passed with one dissentient. ' Mr. Jackson: "He dissented because we did not go far enough," After further discussion Mr. Duxfield moved: "That the executive has the fullest confidence in Mr. Poison in his carrying out to the letter the constitution of the Farmers' Union." Mr. Poison: '*I would appreciate that because I have endeavoured to do that." The motion was carried unanimously.