FARMERS' VOTE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 67, 20 March 1943, Page 4

FARMERS' VOTE

A POLITICAL BLOC

MOOTED BY UNION

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, This Day. Discussing adoption of a farmers' political platform, the Auckland Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union reviewed the possibilities of creating a farmers' bloc in the next House.

The president, Mr. Rushworth, said that the existing constitution of Parliament, with what might be termed two city parties, was unsatisfactory. If the farmers formed a rural party they might be called "dirty vote splitters," but what of that?

The meeting decided to affirm the desirability of taking some political action, to be determined by the Dominion Executive. It also decided that as a means to the initiation of political action a fanners' electoral committee be appointed. It was unanimously resolved also that the committee should first meet the present Opposition with a view to securing a rural bloc and that candidates in the rural electorates be invited to promise general support -only to the Opposition, but to give no overriding pledge to any political party that would conflict with the Farmers' Union platform. 1 It was further decided that if by the end of May satisfactory arrangements had not been reached steps be taken to nominate candidates, subject to confirmation by the Dominion Conference.