THE FARMERS' VOTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14511, 27 October 1910, Page 7

THE FARMERS' VOTE.

NEED FOR ORGANISATION. [BY TELEGRAPH. ASSOCIATION.] Christcherch, Wednesday. The executive of the North Canterbury Farmers' Union to-day discussed in committee proposals for the organisation of farmers, with a view of political action. A report was submitted that stated that the organisation of voters in other industries made it necessary that farmers should . organise for their own protection politically, independent of party, since politicians largely form their opinions to suit the largest organised section of voters. To carry out this organisation a fund should be established, to be called the " farmers' political protection fund," and a committee of five should be appointed to administer it and arrange for carrying out the work of organisation by appointing organisers, and in other ways. Mr. Wilfrid Hall moved the adoption of the report, and Mr. C. H. Elisor seconded. The mover said that the labour unions had become such a large organised vote that some politicians formed their opinion and their legislation with the view of catching that vote. It was imperative that farmers should organise before the next general elections, in order to secure their share of representation in Parliament. The successes of the Labour party in securing the government of the Commonwealth and of New South Wales ought to convince the farmers of New Zealand that they must meet combination with combination, and they should combine before it was too late.