Farmers' Union.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8144, 18 November 1905, Page 5

Farmers' Union.

Selection of a Candidate.

An Interesting Discussion

A meeting of the Farmers' Union was held this morning, Captain Hewitt presiding. The meeting was held for the purpose of considering the.replies from the parliamentary candidates, Messrs W. T. Wood, M.H.R., and E. Pirani to the questions put by the Union to the candidates.

Captain Hewitt said Mr Pirani had forwarded written replies to the questions. Mr Wood had not done so, but lie (Captain, Hewitt) had attended Mr Wood's meeting at Fitzherbe-rt East last night. Captain Hewitt said he had consequently written down the replies that Mr Wood had given to the questions -when put to him. The questions were discussed seriatim:. On the first Mr Pirani's answer was accepted with general approbation one member des-eribing it as much more to the purpose than the other.. Both were discussed, and the meeting decided that the explanation attached co Mr. Wood's answer, " That -when largeestates have been purchased for close settlement, he would vote against the freehold of swell smallar farms being sold," was in effect in the negative. The remaining questions were each answered in the allirmative by the candidates.

_ A discussion took place on the question of whether the present meeting should decide upon the candidate to be supported by members of the Union or whether they should simply make a recommendation to a general meeting of the Union.

Mr Balsillie said that he did not think the recommendation of the meeting would sway the farmers at all. What they wanted was a strong Opposition so that they could get better government.

Mr Barber said that Mr Pirani had shown a better grip of the questions put, and Mr Wood did not appear to know anything about the matter. Mr Balsillie remarked that the Union was supposed not to be a political party, but Mr Stubbs pointed out that at the recent conference it had been decided that the Union should take its share in the coming election, and further the President had sent circulars to all the branches.

Mr Daniells expressed the opinion that a general meeting should be held. He pointed out thai their views on the freehold question was tho only differ-ence-between the candidates.

Chorus of voices—" Yes, and it's that difference that concerns us." ~~

Mr Barber said that until the Union became a political body farmers would not take any interest in ita welfare. They would not even pay their subscriptions.

Mr Monrad expressed the opinion that what the Union had to do was to decide upon which was the best man for them, irrespective of party. The man who answered the questions to their satisfaction was the man they should decide to support. Mr Stubbs : " That is so, and work for him too."

Eventually it was decided upon Mr Daniells' motion that a general meeting of the Union should be held to select a candidate at the Fire Brigade Hall on Saturday next at two o'clock.