FARMERS AND POLITICS

Hawera Star, Volume L, 4 December 1930, Page 9

FARMERS AND POLITICS

party theory refuted FORTHCOMING CONFERENCES UNITED ACTION URGED. Refutation of the suggestion that the forthcoming meetings to be held under the .auspices of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union were being organised with the object of the formation of a new political party was given at the monthly meeting ©t the South Taranaki 'provincial executive of the union at Hawera to-day, it being 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 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 I the policy of the union with reference j to • political questions of the day and ! the position of the primary industries I which is becoming particularly urgent,” | said the .secretary (Mr, E, K. Cameron') in referring to the conference at Hawera on Tuesday with the Dominion President (Mr. Tv. J. Poison) when as already reported, approval was given to the" suggestion to hold six meetings of farmers —three in the north and three in the South Island. The policy would be outlined by Mr. Poison and various speakers were being invited to address the assembly in mat-

ters: affecting the primary industries. The meetings would, in Mr Cameron's opinion, he 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 the outcome of the conference discussions. It was expected that upwards of 1000 'yeople- from various portions of the two Taranaki and the Wanganui provincial districts and the Opera House, together with another building for the day-long conference, were being engaged. Mr. H. Hodge (Atiton) said that if the proposed assemblies were being organised with a view to turning the union into a political organisation he 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, a® lie understood it, was not to turn the union into a political party, but the 'position of the farmers was a serious one and action —political or otherwise—in their interests must be taken. Mr. J. Cocker (Elthain) said the present conditions: demanded extraordinary action. Political, or otherwise lie thought the movement should be given support, it being essentia'! that farmers must get- together in the common interest. . Tile secretary said that political

power of some description was necessary to obtain statutory recognition to the needs of the primary producer. While flic object of the conferences 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 regarded bv the union as essential. “Provided that, as Mr. Cameron lias said we are not supporting the formation of a farmers’ or country political party, we should gave support to the movement,” said Mr. W. D. F. Chambers (Opunake). If we could become so strong, that as a consolidated body apart from any particular •wirty. we could influence statutory action much benefit should result.” Mr. Cameron: It is realised, and correct! v so. that as a strong body independent of any particular party, the union can exercise a much greater influence than it conld as a political party itself. The clash of the date December 1/ of the Hawera, meeting with the primary schools’ sports at Hawera provided the subject of a lengthy discussion during which it was pointed out that the date was the only one at the particular tieried on which it was possible to make

the necessary arrangements. Regret was expressed by .several speakers that a division of interest mi gilt be involved and the discussion concluded with endorsement of theopinion that business affairs must claim first consideration and that the execsiitie must concentrate on the organisation of the meeting. A suggestion that committees to interest residents of particular areas should be appointed was left to the individual branches.