FARMERS AND POLITICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13482, 5 July 1907, Page 5

FARMERS AND POLITICS.

"MUST TAKE OFF THE GLOVES."

[BY TELEGRAPH. PRESS ASSOCIATION".]

Wellington', Thursday. At the Farmers' Union Conference to-day, Mr. L. Clayton, of Poverty Bay, moved a resolution to the effect that the union mu*t adopt a stronger and a. united political attitude, although not necessarily a party attitude. This was the only way in which its influence could be manifest. He said the union bore all the discredit, but enjoyed none of the advantages of being a political organisation. They were ridiculed because people thought they had not the backbone to fight. They must cease to be mere trimmers.

Captain Bell, of Waikuto, said he felt certain the union would never be a power until it took a pronounced altitude. The time had arrived when they must take off the gloves. The absolute futility of their efforts was due to the fact that they had not taken a political stand.

Mr. Jones (Canterbury) defended the union's past attitude. The man who said they left political questions alone must have been in a trance. The strength of the union was in the fact that they had never tacked themselves to any political party.

Mr. C. Cooper said they could claim that their opposition was responsible for the fact that there was now a majority of freeholders in the House. After further discussion the motion was defeated by 11 votes to four.