BREAK-AWAY FROM REFORM PARTY.

Grey River Argus, 8 June 1922, Page 5

BREAK-AWAY FROM REFORM PARTY.

THE MEN ON THE LAND WANT THEIR OWN. THE NEW COUNTRY PARTY TO GO AHEAD. AUCKLAND FARMERS IGNORE UNION HEAD Auckland farmers, despite opposition from the N.Z. union heads, yesterday resolved to go ahead with the formation of a Country Political Party. G-reymouth Public Servants ask for an investigation as to the cost of living locally, before any further cut is made in wages. Hogg (Moonlight Club) has been chosen for the South Island Soccer rep. team. A Christchurch deputation asked Mr Massey to aid in checking the growth of venereal disease in New Zealand. Lord Liverpool’s daughter has been killed in England through being thrown from a horse. Hon. Guthrie yesterday told soldier settlers there could be no general revaluation of their holdings at present. Several men found in launches at the Wiltshire wreck are being charged with pillaging. Australian graziers have got the High Court to order the A.W.U. not to direct its members against taking lower wages. N.S.W. Ministry persists in its weekly school loyalty innovations. Cheque bettors with Sydney bookies are suing to recover losses in view of the new anticheque betting law in Britain. The banking magnates are shying at raising a big loan for Germany. Italy is sending many thousand fanners to Russia’s Don region, and concluding a treaty with Turkey, giving advantages under a coming Balkan alliance. Japanese seek admission to U.S.A, on the new ground of their being a Caucasian race of Ainu descent. In the Irish elections, contrary to London claims, there will be contests for every electorate except two or three. De Valera is the only leader elected unopposed. The British Army in Ulster is preparing an offensive against Irish Republicans at Belleck, near Lough Erne. A further $60,000,000 cut in U.S.A, railway wages is being made. Australian engineers’ wages are also being cut. A big row in U.S.A. Senate is going on over tariff changes.

[Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, June 7. The proposed Country Party was discussed by the Farmers’ Conference to-day. Mr Polson (Dominion President) said the slogan of the Farmers’ Union was: “Principles and not parties.” lie said the official view would be hostile to those forming the Country Party. The union, he said, was also opposed to class representation at present. The farmers in New Zealand were organising as they never had before. There were branches being formed all over the Dominion. If the Union was to be successful they must adhere to the platform, and not take part in party politics. He asked the meeting not to shipwreck the union Already he had received letters from valued members, who said they would resign if the union entered part y politics lie was not there as a supporter of the Deform Government, but he asked would they gain anything by weakening the present Government? They might do that without gaining any benefit, for the farmers as a whole If they had a party, it was no use trying to be independent. It must either oppose or support the present Government. He asked them to remember the danger of breaking up an organisation which was doing so much in the interests of farmers. Home discussion ensued. The conference, however, carried unanimously, amid cheers, a motion approving of the action of the Auckland Executive in forming the Country Party, and reaffirming the. decisions of two previous conferences to take political action to secure adequate recognition of the demands of the farming community.

GREECE UP AGAINST ALBANIANS. [Australian and New Zealand Cable Association.] ATHENS, June 6. It is reported that the Greek Government has protested to the League of Nations and the Council of the Allied Ambassadors, respecting the persecution of Greeks in Albania, declaring if it continues the Greek Government will be compelled to take military action against Albania.