WITH WHOSE VOICE?

Evening Star, Issue 20256, 17 August 1929, Page 12

WITH WHOSE VOICE?

MR POISON CHALLENGED DOES HE SPEAK FOR THE FARMERS? [Front Ora Pauliaukxiari Reporter.] WELLINGTON, August 16. A denial that Mr Poison (Stratford) represented the Now Zealand Farmers’ Union in Parliament in any special sense was made by Mr Martin (the, Labour member, for Raglan) in the House of Representatives to-day. “ I say quite clearly and distinctly that he does not represent the Farmers’ Union in this House any more than I do.” declared Mr Martin. ‘‘He' has non a mandate from the Farmers’ Union in regard to the statements he may make on the floor of this House. I know he is 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 Fanners’ Union. I am prepared 10 voice my opposition.”

Mr Martin said the member for Stratford had also niade-relerences to the Labour Party which were incorrect. and had persisted oven when the Leader of the Labour Party drew his attention to the fact that they were wrong. Time and again in assemblies of tbd Farmers’ Union he (Mr Martin) had drawn attention to such statements as incorrect. >

Mr Howard (Christchurch South) : Oh. Iio; so it is a habit, then. Mr Martin said he did not know whether it was a habit, but Mr Poison had persistently misrepresented the Farmers’ Union.

Mr Bitchenev (Waitaki) ; Why don’t yon put him out, then? Mr Martin retorted that' the Interjeetor was a member of the. Farmers’ Union, and no doubt, sis well as the president, could voice the opinions of the anion.