FARMERS IN POLITICS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1039, 11 June 1924, Page 6

FARMERS IN POLITICS.

SEPARATE PArtlY OPPOSED. "UNWISE AND IMPOLITIC." CHRISTCHURCH, Juno 6. Political matters, incruumg tne proposed institution or a warmers' Tarty in New Zealand, occupied the atteuMon or the provincial conference or tne North Canterbury brunch or the New /.eaiand Farmers' Lmon to-day. the subject was brougat up by Mr U. irjneat, who, on benaif or the executive moveu, '-iiiat in tna opinion or tne conference it is unwise and impolitic to engage m the stnre ot party politics and mat only general pontics as tney alrect the hie and wen being of the primary producers and the wnole coirimunity should be touched by tne union.''

The speaker stated that to-day the North island proposed to form a new party. What was tins party 't —a collection of political rejects. Ir thoy ever started a turners' political party, ne said, tiiey would be among the "also ran.'' Hiis party would be up against the whole strength or tne Labour farty, us well as cno other political organisations. No goud wouiu be secured oy following AucKiaiid's lead, he said, and tiio farmers already had a political body to watch tneir interests. xhis statement was not made because the speaker was a follower of xVJLv iVlassey. iVir \V.. W. Mulholland seconded tne motion. Ho said it would have been better had they shortly stated that they did not want a farmers' party, lie disagreed with Mr Sheat in his statement tuat if a farmers' party were instituted it would be among the '"also ran." Ho believed the farmers throughout New Zealand would be able to put quite a number of men in the Mouse of llopresentatives. However, if a farmers' political party were set up it would mean that the rarmers' freedom or sueech and actions would bo gone until such time as they were able to put this party in power. If a farmers' party were instituted every mans nand would be turned against it and it was not in the interests of tho country that a deviation between town and country should arise. The motion was carried without further discussion.