Farmers Object to Mr Poison’s Dual Role

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7019, 19 September 1929, Page 6

Farmers Object to Mr Poison’s Dual Role

; MUCH TALK BUT LITTLE CRITICISM, For Preßß Association. MASTERTON, Last Night. Five resignations of members, four of them from farmers who objected to Mr. W. J. Poison, being both Dominion president and member of Parliament were before the Wairarapa provincial executive of tho Farmers’ Union today. The secretary and several individual members stated that many members who accused Mr. Poison of bringing party politics into the union were threatening to resign. In the course of a lengthy discussion, little, if anything, was said in criticism of Mr. Poison’s attitude to the taxation proposals and some members endorsed this attitude in whole or part. All agreed in praising his services to the union. The main line of criticism was that tho Dominion president, by becoming a member of Parliament, inevitably brought party politics into the union. Mr. T. R. Barrer said he thought Mr. Poison had made a grave tactical mistake. As president of the Farmers’ Union, outside the House, he could exercise far greater influence than any member sitting in the House could exercise. Mr. Poison had nlade it clear that he spoke in the House as member for Stratford, but most members failed to distinguish botween the member for Stratford and the president of the Farmers’ Union.

Mr. H. Daysh defended Mr. Poison, contending that if adverse things were said about him, they would have more resignations. Mr. W. A. lorns dissociated himself from any motion reprimanding or censuring Mr. Poison. Mr. R. S. Pilmer moved that a remit be sent forward, providing that the Dominion president, on entering Parliament, should automatically resign his position.

Mr. H. Bennett, in supporting tho resolution, said that if Mr. Poison voted mostly with one party, he might just as well be a member of that party. Mr. C. C. Jackson, provincial president, said he was strongly of opinion that if Mr. Poison continued in office, there would be many defections from tho ranks of the union. Mr. Duncan McGregor and other members pointed out that there was no question of attempting to get rid of Mr. Poison before the end of his present term. Mr. Pilmer’s motion was carried on the voices. The executive also passed a resolution instructing tho secretary to write to any members who had resigned, asking them to reconsidor their decision.