TELEGRAMS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXV, Issue 168, 26 July 1901, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

POLHTOAL HOSTILITY BY MINISTERIALISTS. (From Our Special Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The hostility of the Government and itß party to the Farmers' Union was further exhibited by an incident which occurred last night. A meeting of the Government party was called to consider an invitation to members to attend a dinner given by the Farmers' Union at Palmerston North on Saturday next, and about thirty attended. Among those who had Received an invitation, however, was a member of the Opposition, who was asked in consideration of the fact that he represented a fanners' oonstituenoy. This Canterbury member soon discovered that the object of the meeting was to burst; up the Farmers' Union. Having delivered himself to the effect that at a previous meeting, when a combination of the Farmers' and Producers* Unions was decided on, nothing of a party character was raised, he apologised for his presence at a gathering where controversial matter was to be discussed. Mr Hardy (who was the member in question) was pressed to remain, and some of those present urged that party questions should be excluded from consideration. Eventually the meeting separated without passing any resolution, but several of those present expressed their intention of attending the dinner. In the event of a further meeting being held the probabilities are that all those not in sympathy with the movement against the Farmers' Union will be caref ullly ezclnded.