THE FORTHCOMING ELECTION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8178, 20 March 1905, Page 2

THE FORTHCOMING ELECTION.

FARMERS' UNION NOT TO NOMINATE A CANDIDATE. A large number of fartners assembled in the side-room of the Opera House on Saturday afternoon to consider what steps, if any, should be taken by the Farmers' Union in connection with tho forthcoming general election. Mr Davidson, Chairman of the Hawera branch,, who presided, explained thai the Wording of the advertisement was ambiguous, but it was intended by those who called the meeting to be a meeting of the Hawera branch exclusively. He reminded the meeting that previous to the last general election public meetings of those wishing to see an Opposition candidate returned to Parliament were held, committees were formed throughout the electorate, and although everything appeared to work well they were beaten. Quite recently Mr McGuire had said that he would not come out again unless he was selected as the Farmers' Union candidate. Just a short time ago the speaker met Mr Quin, and was informed that Mr McGuire had appointed him (Mr Quin) to be his secretary for the forthcoming campaign, and that Mr McGuire intended standing if he (Mr Davidson) did not contest the seat. The speaker did not give Mr Quin any satisfaction as to whether he would bo a candidate or not. A meeting had been held in tho Egmont Hotel, at which about twenty were present. He (Mr Davidson) had not been asked to attend the meeting, and did not consider that with 6uch a few present it was a representative meeting. It was not intended to put the question of selecting a candidate point-blank before to-day's meeting, but the matter would be considered, and it was hoped that the various representatives present would afterwards call meetings of their respective branches and further deal with the matter. Mr Pajlane (EHham) said that at a meeting of the Elrham branch of the Union it was decided that he should attend to watch the proceedings of this meeting. Tho Eltham branch was adverse to the Union taking any political Etand. As individuals they should select a man who would lie a fanners' representative and independent of any union. If they looked at the matter from a farmer's standpoint they would recognise that the colony was not in a- good position. The man who supported the native lease should not get another vote. They should select a man who could give an intelligent opinion on anything concerning the farmers. He wanted to keep the Farmers' Union out of it. Tlio Chairman asked what was meant by "keeping them out of Ml" Mr Parlane said that they could all agree to support a good farmer without the Union being concerned in the matter. The Chairman said he thought the Union should stand as one man. Mr Allen (Hawera) asked why they could not combine like a Labor Union? The Chairman upheld that view; an>i thought they should work the matter up and then let delegates from the various branches do the rest by voting. Mr F. Wilkie (Kaponga) said that party politics should be left alone, or th*« same things would happen as occurred at the last election. If they could not give a pledged support to some candidate they should leave it alone. The Chairman here remarked ,that just prior to the last election the present member (Mr Major) had been a strong advocate of the freehold, but had afterwards thrown it over.. Mr Blair (Olakeho) said if they supEorted a candidate they should support im entirely. If a good farmer's man came out they must support him strongly, but if they "supported a strong party man they would get a fall, as they did last year. They should leave party politics alone. He proposed, That the Farmer::' Union nominate one candidate for the forthcoming election. Mr Gane (Normanby) seconded, and said they wanted a man who would support the right and vote against what was wrong, and who was a practical man with a good commercial knowledge. Last election he voted with the Union, but this time ha would vote for the one likeliest to get in. Mr Forsyth (Opunake) said ho would like to know the position they were in as regards the motion being put to this meeting. He thought the question was for the Hawera branch to consider, and that the remainder should be listeners and not voters. The Opunake branch was of the same opinion as the Eltham branch. The greatest good they could do was to centre their wnole strength in their platform. They should call a meeting of Candidates, and advise the farmers to vote for whoever would support the platform. . The Chairman said he could not support the motion, and besides he could not put it to the meeting. Everyone who had spoken had told about the mishaps, mulls, etc., that had occurred during the last campaign, but he considered that they had worked on sound lines. In the country they got majorities, and it was the folly of the people in the Hawera Borough tnat beat them. He thought they should work on the same lines as those followed before. As this was a meeting of the Hawera branch he would not put the motion, but the question could be discussed. Mr Blair replied that his branch met on Saturday last, and decided as he had moved. The Chairman answered that they should have sent the resolution to the Provincial Executive. Mr Blair said that the Union was a very small body politically, and even if they supported a candidate wholly hi* return would not be assured. The Chairman said that although the members were not numerous they had a >;ig following. in reference to the mistake caused by the alleged anibiguity of the advertisement. Mr Blair said they had come long distances, and if the local braiich had | erred an apology was due from them. I The Chairman replied that it only required the exorcise of a little commonj sense to soe that the Hawera branch had i no right to call such a meeting as Mr Blair suggested. 1 Mr Blair said that Hawera was the leading branch in the district, and thought il reasonable that they should take the lead. Mr Parlane said they were wasting t.ime. and once more urged that the Union should shun party politics, and not vote for "a thing" tied to a party. Mr Blair, with Mr Gane as seconder, altered his motion to read, That in the opinion of this meeting it be a recommendation to thr. Provincial Executive that Farmers' Unions in the Hawera electorate nominate no candidate. Mr Lambie said this motion, in face of anything thr Colonial Executive might do, would bo a kind of "backhander." Mr Forsyth observed that it was only the opinion of this meeting, and the. Chairman adxiscd that the Executive meets in May nexl, when the resolution could be considered. The resolution was put and carried by a large majority, both on the voices and a show of hands. Mr Forsyth thought the resolution should go from the Hawera branch. The Chairman said it should go as from this meeting. He thought the matter of appointing delegates cpuld stand over until after Mr Massey had placed his whoU platform before them. Mr Parlano stated that his branch thought the Hawera branch was doin«j good by calling the meeting. He therefore wished tv tender the thanks of his branch. Mr Wilkie said the thanks should be for allowing outsiders to remain at tha meeting. (Laughter.) The meeting then roso.