The Ensign. GORE: SATURDAY, MAY 17. THE FARMERS' UNION AND POLITICS.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1034, 17 May 1902, Page 2

The Ensign. GORE: SATURDAY, MAY 17. THE FARMERS' UNION AND POLITICS.

The report that Mr Cius. Lewis intends to contest the Riccarton (Canterbury) seat in the interests of the N.Z. Farmers' Union opens up a fresh phase of the question: how .far is the Union entitled to go in matters of party polities ? The Union is now organised into an enormously influential body so far as numbers are concerned, and would prove a rich haul to any political party accomplishing its capture. Looking at the matter as it affects its own future usefulness, we should prefer to see the Union remain as at present, standing aloof from parties. Its independence is the source of its greatest strength. As a powerful Opposition is effective in keeping the Government in the straight path, so the passive influence of the Farmers' Union must tend to place politicians on the alert to render all the aid possible in the interests of farmers, or at the very least to restrain them from flying in the face of the expressed wishes of the agricultural communities. Upon the present non-party basis, farmers of all shades of political beliefs are enabled to meet on common ground to discuss matters of mutual concern and to legislate far mutual benefit as far as the powers of the Union will permit. Once the organisation is sold into one political faction or another dissensbn would inevitably arise, and the immediate effect would be the dissipation of strength by the secession of thousands of members. The Farmers' Union, we take it, assumes a political aspect only in so far as farming interests are concerned. Matters of general policy are outside its scope of active interference. The rules provide for the nomination of political candidates in districts where none acceptable to the Union are offering, and this is a power that should be sparingly and judiciously employed. From promptings of conscience, perhaps, the present Government stands in no little awe of the Union, and members of the Ministry unfailingly throw out warnings for its future guidance in political matters. But at present there are absolutely- no signs that the Union as a body possesses any bias in favor of either of the contending parties in the political arena of to-day. If it should become necessary for Union candidates to be nominated for ihe House of Representatives at the coming elections, adherence to Union principles (in

addition to fitness in other wayß) will be made the first and only test. Signs are not wanting, however, that a great trial of strength will be made before very long between the Farmers' Union and the labor organisations. If things remain as at present (the Government pandering to the labor unions in everything/ some political color may be imported into the struggle. If the Government persists in carrying the labor unions upon its back and the Farmers' Union eventually triumphs in the contest, the Government will be to blame for its own downfall. Happily the present Administration is evincing a desire to rid itself of the old man of the sea of its own creation, and with a larger power looming upon the political horizon it may be induced to hold the balance between town and country more justly. It must not be regarded that Mr Lewis has been promised nomination for Parliamentary honors under the auspices of the Farmers' Union. He is an enthusiastic member and supporter of the organisation, and has no doubt on his own motion resolved to seek election on its platform. A large part of the Biccarton electorate is in a rural district, while the present member is a city man with interests essentially connected with the town. Mr Lewis is a farmer, and doubtless his candidature iB another phase*, of the town v. country problem. Those who have followed the singularly successful career of the Union thus far cannot but hope that in tbe future matters of purely partizan politics (if we may bo express it) will be kept studiously in the background, and that harmony may be preserved as a means ior husbanding the tremendous strength of the organisation against the day when united and vigorous political action may be necessary.