MR. POLSON'S POSITION

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 42, 17 August 1929, Page 8

MR. POLSON'S POSITION

SPEAKING FOR FARMERS

LABOUR MEMBER'S CLAIM

A denial that Mr. W. J. Poison (Independent, Stratford) represented the New Zealand Farmers' Union in Parliament in any special sense was made by Mr. W. L. Martin (Labour, Baglan) in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon.

Jll^, quite clearly and distinctly tuat.ne does not represent tho Farmers' Union in this House any more than I can," declared Mr. Martin Ho has no mandate from tho Farmers Union in regard to the statements he may make on the floor of this House. I know he is tho president of that organisation, and I congratulate him upon holding that position, but when he rises and makes statements in direct opposition to the policy of the Farmers' Union I am prepared to voice my opposition." Mr Martin said the member for btratfoi-d had also made references to the policy of the Labour Party which were incorrect, and, despite tho fact that the Leader of the Labour Party had drawn his attention' to those sUte"rvfr c?f aL bT, g jnc°rrect, the member tor Stiatford had persisted.' Time and again at assemblies of the Farmers' Union ho (Mr Martin) had- drawn atreet S statements as iueor-

<wl\ >\™ \ o H°wai'd (Ohristchurch South): "Oh! So it is a habit, then?'.' Mr Martin said'ho did not know whether it was a habit, but Mr. Poison had persistently misrepresented tho Farmers' Union.

Mr. J. Bitckencr (Waitaki): "Why don't you put him out, then?" Mr. Martin retorted that tho interjector was a member of the Farmers' Uniou, aud no doubt he, aa well as the president, could voico tho opinions of the Farmers' Union. ..