FARMERS' POLITICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20263, 24 May 1929, Page 12

FARMERS' POLITICS.

UNION AS A PARTY,

PROPOSAL NOT SUPPORTED.

ASSISTING COUNTRY GROUP,

A proposal to convert the Farmers' Union into a political organisation met with littlo favour at the Auckland provincial conference of the union yesterday. It, was, however, agreed to give (.ho fullest support (o the Country Party, and a resolution urging upon the Dominion conference tho desirability of strengthening that party's organisation was carried by a substantial majority. The conference was asked by the Walton branch to approve tho following remit: "That it bo a recommendation to the provincial executive to give serious consideration to the matter of making tho Farmers' Union a strong political

party." *'Wo havo tho Country Party at our back already," said Mr. P Melroso, of Walton, iu moving tho adoption of the remit, "but our idea is that the party should bo given tho strongest political support of tho Farmers' Union, which should elect into ihat party members pledged to its platform." In nrginc this course, the speaker said he was aware a number of farmers would be up in arms at tho prospect of the union taking political actiou and no doubt a few would break away from tho union, but it was no use passing remit after remit unless they wero backed up by political supnot* L. Bay o! Islands Seat.

The Bay o£ Islands, said Mr. Melrose, had elected a man to Parliament who was nob afraid to say ho belonged to the Country Party. It was a portent which might well influence a great many other electorates throughout the country. It had been said that even if it were difficult to put many members of the party into Parliament it was obvious tliey had the strength to keep others out. Farmers were continually asking what the Farmers' Union had done for them, failing to give credit where credit was due. It behoved the union to take them at their word and strengthen its political influence.

Mr. E. L. Walker, of Pakaraka, who seconded the motion, urged the union to take a leaf out of the politician's book and employ the caucus to bring influence to bear upon the Country Party. The union had the power, if it wished, to direct the action of its representatives when they were in Parliament. Mr. T. H. Hendorson, of Horsham Downs, spoke strongly against tho motion, deprecating what ho termed "narrow party selfishness." An amendment that the word "party" be altered to "force" was moved by Mr. E. B;irrowclough, of Morrinsville, who opposed the idea of introducing a political caucus into the union's affairs. "We want to make the union a force that will support any party that will support tho union," he said. Tims Not Hips for Action,

Supporting the' amendment, Mr. R. H. Feisst, vice-president, said the time was not ripe for the union to take political action. It should bo sufficient to give moral support to the Country Party, whicli was brought into being to further the decisions reached at the union's conferences. Mr. J. G. Butterworth, of Te Ilorc, opposed placing too much emphasis on political parties. "You might as well tell a man what religion he is to belong to as tell him what his politics are to be," he said. Mr. W. Boyd, of Cambridge: "We have been talking for years and years and getting nowhere. We have a foot in Parliament now— A Voice: Two feet. Mr. Boyd: But we cannot expect to have anything remedied until we have rnoro representation in the House. After further discussion a second amendment was proposed and carried by a large majority. It read: "That it be a recommendation to the Dominion conference that serious consideration be given to tho question of making the Country Party a strong political party."