MR. W. J. POLSON'S TOUR

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 134, 8 June 1936, Page 11

MR. W. J. POLSON'S TOUR

«•■ ■ ATTITUDE CRITICISED VIEWS ON POLITICS , (Special to the "Evening Post.") PALMERSTON N., This Day. Strong criticism of the action of Mr. W. J. Poison, M.P., Dominion president of the Farmers' Union, in touring the country and expressing opposition to the farming legislation of the Government was, expressed at the annual meeting of the Manawatu provincial executive of the union on Saturday, the upshot being the carrying of a resolution to be forwarded to the Prime Minister dissociating the executive from the views expressed by Mr. Poison. Mr. G. J. Wild said that Mr. Poison had been touring the country stirring up antagonism against legislation that was being passed. The speaker took exception to Mr. Poison saying that resolutions had been passed by farmers endorsing (his) Mr. Poison's remarks. Mr. Poison had spoken about confiscation of produce, but the speaker did not think farmers cared a rap where their produce went to so long as they received a reasonable return. Mr. Wild then moved: "That the Manawatu executive dissociates itself entirely from the views expressed by the Dominion president of the Farmers' Union during his tour of the province." "I think Mr. Poison is nothing but an alarmist and is putting the wind up the farmers before it is necessary," stated Mr. W. G. Shannon, in seconding the motion. Mr. J. Boyce said he thought Mr. Poison was doing a lot of harm to the union and, in stamping around the country, was only guessing. The country was in a mess and the Labour Government was trying to clean it up and give everybody a fair go. "I think we are making ourselves ridiculous by passing motions of this nature," said the chairman, Mr. N. Campbell. He added that he did not think cirticism should go forth and the public be told that the union itself was not unanimous in its opinions. Mr. E. O. Bond claimed that Mr. Poison was not putting up a good fight, because he was trying to get farmers to disagree on something neither he nor they understood as yet. j "I think that in a few months' timeMr, Poison will be the new leader of the National Party," said Mr. G. Clume "In the meantime he is taking a line of action which can only break the certain amount of unity that has been achieved between town and country." The speaker added that only a few ! months ago the Manawatu executive ■ had passed a resolution asking for Mr. : "Olson's resignation, but no action had ! oeen taken by the Dominion executive. • The chairman: "When I asked - Wellington what had become of the ' resolution I was told that it had been ■ lost in the correspondence and that no • good purpose would be served as Mr. 5 Poison was resigning." t "By a vote of censure we would put t a muzzle on him," stated Mr. Bond, t "I am satisfied he has not been shining 2 in the debates in the House." Mr. Campbell: He is only carrying out what he was authorised to do. :. QUESTION TO MR. SAVAGE 1 In the House of Representatives this : ' afternoon Mr. C. L. Hunter (Govern ment, Manawatu) and Mr. L. G. Lowrj (Government, Otaki) asked the Prime 1 Minister if he had read the report ol , the Manawatu provincial executive oi 3 the Farmers' Union, in which it i; I stated that the following resolutior 1 was carried by a large majority: Tha' , the Manawatu executive dissociate: ) itself entirely from the views expressec „ by the Dominion president of th< r Farmers' Union during his tour of thi , provinces." The report stated tha r the resolution was being forwarded t< r the Prime Minister, and the member: •t asked the Prime Minister if he wa: ' prepared to say whether he had re /»oi%roH thp renort.

ceived the report. h Mr. Savage said that he had read " the report, which was very interesting P in view of the statements made by * the member for Stratford (Mr. Pol- a - son). He had not yet received the S '- resolution.