FARMERS IN POLITICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20538, 12 April 1930, Page 12

FARMERS IN POLITICS.

ATTITUDE TO COUNTRY PARTY

CHARGE OF ANTAGONISM.

MEMBER CRITICISES OFFICIALS

[ill* TELEGRAPH.—OWN COMtESPOXDKXT.]

HAMILTON, Friday

Allegations that thero had been an attempt oft tho part of certain members of tho New Zealand Farmers' Union to weaken tho Country Party were inado by Mr. W. Boyd, of Matangi, at a mooting of the executive committeo of the Waiknto sub-provincial branch of the union in Hamilton to-day. Mr. Boyd stated that the Dominion president, Mr. W. J. Poison, and Mr. T. H. Henderson, president of the Wnikato sub-provincial executive, had connived for the purpose of causing embarrassment to tho Country Political League. This statement and charges of unconstitutional attempts to alter the status of tho sub-provincial district were strenuously denied by Mr. Henderson, who prosided at the meeting. For a number of years an effort has been made to secure provincial status for the Waikato branches and at a recent poll this policy was endorsed. However, only a quarter of tho members recorded their votes. As a result of the poll a deputation waited upon the .Dominion cxccutivo in Wellington arid urged that tho claims of Waikato district, should receive consideration. When (lie local executive met to-day tho validity of the mandato assumed by the deputation to he a result of the poll and tho conduct of tho members of tho deputation when at Wellington were severely criticised. "I pointed out to tho Dominion executive in Wellington," said Mr. Boyd, "that tho delegation from the sub-provinco did not carry a mandate from the territory they represented. However, the Dominion president, Mr. Poison, created a, precedent and ruled that if a sub-provincial area had 500 members it could be granted provincial status by tho Dominion execu-. tive. Mr. Henderson and Mr. J. 11. Wynyard, of To Awamutu, introduced the political aspect. From statements made it would appear that members of tho Country Party wero allied to tho "legion of Satan." Mr. Boyd said ho thought he was correct in his assumption that there was a desire to embarrass the political movement that had become so firmly established among farmers in tho Auckland Province. Apparently that desire was to be achieved by cutting away the territory in which it was strong. Tho effect upon tho party's political interests would bo very grave.

In reply to Mr. Boyd's charges, Mr. Henderson said that ho hacl raised tho political issue because the rules of the union in this respect were being constantly broken. Mr. W. Lee Martin, M.P., said that he. considered that Mr. Poison had been unjustly attacked. Ho was satisfied that Mr. Henderson had carried a. mandate to Wellington and had not acted unconstitutionally.

After further discussion the. meeting passed a resolution expressing the opinion that nothing unconstitutional had been done to obtain provincial status for the Waikato sub-provincial executive.

THE FRANKLIN ELECTORATE.

COUNTRY PARTY SUPPORTERS.

[by telegraph.—own correspondent/]

WAIUKTT. Friday

A gathering of about 90 supporters' of the Country Party in the Franklin electorate was held at Waiuku this week. It was decided to invite Mr. 11. 0. Mellsop to again contest the Franklin seat at the next election as the Country Party candidate.

Tho policy of the party was outlined bv (ho president, of tho Dominion executive. Mr. A. A. Ross, ;ind addresses were also given by Mr. J. W. Robinson, chairman of tlm Franklin executive, and Mr. ,J. 1!. McKinney, Dominion organiser.