A FARMERS' PARTY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9224, 28 May 1910, Page 3

A FARMERS' PARTY.

TO BE FORMED IN AUCKLAND. (Peb Press Association.) AUCKLAND, May 27. At yesterday's Auckland Provincial Conference of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, Captain Colbeck, representing the Clevedon branch, moved "That a farmers' party bo formed." They were told, he said, that they had representation in Parliament. It was true that 24 farmers were members of the House of Representatives, but unfortunately 12 were on the Government and 12 on the Opposition sides. "It seems to me," eaid Captain Colbeck, "that the farmers in the Houee aro not worth a rap to us. They are tied by party, and you have only to look at the legislation of the last five years to know it. The Sale and Importation of Machinery Act is. one of the most extraordinary measures ever piit through the Houee. Wo want to run our own candidates. A man is politically what he is born. Liberals are Liberals from birth, and Tories are Tories from birth. The only way to get the farmers to vote solidly is to bring forward candidates who are neither Government nor Opposition. What we want ie a Farmers' Party."

Mr J. S. Montgomerie (Mangere) said ho was convinced that a. Farmers' Party was an actual necessity.

Mr J. S. Wilson (Auckland) said he was satisfied that the farmers' interests were keenly watched in Parliament by the Opposition.

Mr Ross said the farmers were well represented, but the trouble was that the farmers never knew what they wanted. Capt. Colbeck, in the course of hie reply, said the discussion had been a saddening- one. He took it that they had no politics and no sense. It was a farce to eay that the farmers were well represented. Ho wanted to see the Union fighting- for its own principles. The motion was carried.