UNITED PARTY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 239, 6 September 1928, Page 8

UNITED PARTY.

MR W. J. POLSON’S ATTITUDE. MAY EVENTUALLY LINK UP. Replying to questions at the opening of his political campaign for the Stratford seat at, Urenui on Friday, Mr W. J. Poison, president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, stated that he was standing as an independent, but reserved the right to link up with the United Party should its policy be along the same lines he had been advocating. At present ho did not know what tho policy of the United Party was. He recognised that it was impossible for tlio individual to do very much, and that team work was necessary, hence his reason for reserving the right to join the United Party, if its policy was what he himself stood for. Asked if he would vote against tho present Government in a no-confidence motion, Mr Poison said that it would be readily understood after his criticism of tho Government that lie would not support the Government, but he would not vote for a non-oonfidence motion if it was. moved by the Labour Party. Mr Poison explained that he had been forced to take political action. Ho had for years been fighting for certain things which he considered desirable in the interests of the country. For tho last year or two he had been urging throughout Now Zealand the need of a better understanding between town and country because New Zealand, being essentially a primary producing country and being dependent on primary production for its future development, better understanding was urgently needed if all were to get along harmoniously and understand the problems of the country. As a leader in connection with matters of land settlement and finance concerning primary producers he had endeavoured to get certain things done. ll© had agitated and tho organisation of which lie was the head bad also done so for years, and ultimately had succeeded in getting certain recommendations viewed favourably by tlio Government. The latter went so far, for instance, as to appoint a commission in connection .with rubai ciLdits ajnd to make .certain promises, but ho had been unable to get those promises fulfilled. Ho had therefore com© to tlio conclusion that tlie only way to get something was to get into Parliament, where one could make one s voico heard and one’s influence felt.