IS MR POLSON VOICE OF FARMERS’ UNION?

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6991, 17 August 1929, Page 4

IS MR POLSON VOICE OF FARMERS’ UNION?

Mr Martin’s Denial NO MANDATE ON FLOOR OF HOUSE OTHERS EQUALLY COMPETENT. From Our Parliamentary Reporter. WELLINGTON, Last Night. A denial that Mr. W. J. Poison (Stratford) represented the New Zealand Farmers’ Union in Parliament in any special sense was made by Mr. W. L. Martin, Labour member for Raglan, in the House of Representatives today. ‘I say quite clearly and distinctly that he does not represent the Farmers’ Union in this House any more than I can say I do,” declared Mr. Martin. “He has not a mandate from the Farmers’ Union in regard to any statements he may make on the floor of this House. I know he is president of that organisation and I congratulate him upon holding that position, but when he rises and makes statements in direct opposition to the policy of the Farmers’ Union, I am prepared to voice my opposition.” Mr. Martin said the member for Stratford had also made references to the Labour Party which were incorrect and had persisted even when the leader of the Labour party drew his attention to the fact that they were wrong. Time and again at assemblies of the Farmers’ Union, ho (Mr. Martin) had drawn attention to such statements as incorrect. Mr. E. J. Howard (Christchurch South): “Oh, oh 1 So it is a habit, then 1 ” Mr. Martin said he did not know whether it was a habit, but Mr. Poison had persistently misrepresented the Farmers’ Union. Mr. J. Bitchener (Waikato): “Why don’t you put him out, then ? ” Mr. Martin retorted that the interjector was a member of the Farmers’ Union and no doubt he, as well as the president, could voice the opinions of the Farmers’ Union.