FARMERS AND POLITICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20364, 19 September 1929, Page 10

FARMERS AND POLITICS.

DISSENSION IN UNION.

MR. POLSON'S DUAL ROLE.

STRONG FEELING IN WAIRARAPA.

J'BY TELEGRAPH.—rHESS ASSOCIATION.] MASTERTON. "Wednesday.

Five resignations of members, four of them farmers who objected to Mr. W. J. Poison being both Dominion president of the union and a member of Parliament, wero before the Wairarapa provincial executive of the Farmers' Union to-day. 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 a lengthy discussion little, if anything, was said in criticism of Mr. Polson's attitude toward the taxation proposals, and some members endorsed his attitude. All agreed in praising bis services to tlie union. The main line of ciiticism was that the Dominion president, by becoming a member of Pailiamcnt, inevitably brought party politics into the union.

Mr. T. R. Barrer said he thought Mr. Poison had made a grave tactical mistake. The president of the Farmers* Union outside the House of Representatives could exercise a far greater influence than any member sitting in the House could exercise. Mr. Poison had made it clear that he spoke in the House as member for Stratford, but most members failed to distinguish between the member for Stratford and tho president of the Farmers' Union.

Mr, H. Daysh defended Mr. Poison, contending that if adverse things were said about him they would have mor# 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 a Dominion president, on entering Parliament, should automatically resign his position. Mr. H. Bennett, in supporting the 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 the ranks of the union.

Mr. Duncan McGregor and other members having 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 the secretary to write to any members who resigned, asking them to reconsider their decision.'