NOT POLITICAL

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 135, 5 December 1930, Page 8

NOT POLITICAL

FARMERS' NEW MOVE POLICY OF UNITED ACTION (By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.") NEW PLYMOUTH, 4th Dec. A further explanation of the attitude of the Farmers' Union in polities was made at a meeting at Hawcra today, when a denial was given that the forthcoming meetings weie being organised with the object of forming a new political party. It was explained that the .union, realising the serious situation facing the primary industries of the Dominion, was merely seeking to provide an opportunity of self help to the industries by united action and influence on the political powers of the day in matters affecting their interests. "I think the executive may feel honoured in the selection of Hawera' as the stepping-off place for the series of meetings to be held throughout the Dominion for the purpose of expounding the policy of the union with reference to political questions of the day, and the position of the primary industries, which is becoming particularly urgent," said the secretary, Mr. B. K. Cameron, in referring to the conference at Hawera, last Tuesday, with the Dominion president (Mr. W. ■T. Poison), when, as already reported, approval was given to the suggestion to hold six meetings of farmers, three in the North Island and three in the South Island. The policy, he said, would be outlined by Mr. Poison, and various speakers were being invited to address the assembly on matters affecting the primary industries. The meetings would in Mr. Cameron's opinion be the most important ever held in the Dominion, and might possibly lead to a special session of Parliament. The whole of the Dominion would be interested greatly in the views to be outlined by Mr. Poison and by Mr. A. Hamilton, M.P., and as the outcome of the conference discussions it was expected that upwards of 1000 people from various portions of the Taranaki and the Wanganui provincial districts would attend. Mr. Hodge (Alton) said that if the proposed assemblies were being organised with a view "to turning the union into a political organisation, ho would have to enter a protest. The chairman (Mr. E. J. Betts) remarked that the decision to hold the meetings was the outcome of deliberations of a special committee of the Dominion executive. The aim as he understood it was not to turn the union into a political party, but the positioji of the farmers was a serious one, and action, political or otherwise, iv their interests must bo taken. EXTBAORDINAKY ACTION ■ NEEDED. Mr. J. Cocker (Eltham) said that the present conditions demanded extraordinary action, political or otherwise. He thought the movement should be given support, it being essential that the farmers must get together in the common interest. Tho secretary said that political power of description was necessary to obtain statutory recognition to the needs of tho primary producer. While the object of tho conference was not. the formation of a political party, it was necessary to have an organisation which could give support to candidates who would endorse action, which was regarded by the union as essential. "Provided that; we are not supporting the formation of a farmers' or a country political party, we should give support to the movement," said Mr. W. L. F. Chambers (Opunake). "If we could become so strong that as a consolidated body apart from any particular party we could influence statutory action, much benefit should result." ■ Mr. Cameron: "It is realised, and correctly so, that as a strong! body independent of any particular party, the union can exercise a much greater influence than it could as a political oarty itself." '