FARMERS AND POLITICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22126, 4 June 1935, Page 11

FARMERS AND POLITICS

ATTITUDE OF THE UNION EXPLANATION BY MR. POLSON [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] DTJNEDIN, Monday Speaking at an executive meeting of the Farmers' Union this afternoon, Mr. W. J. Poison, M.P., elaborated proposals for reorganising the headquarters staff, to which he had referred in Christchurch. He said he had noticed with some astonishment that this had been assumed by some' North Island papers to indicate an attempt to break into party politics. What he had discussed, and what had been clearly understood by his hearers, was a means of dealing more effectively and intimately with the domestic politics of the Farmers' Union and by that he meant particularly the measure of control which would enable the establishment of young farmers' clubs, farm accounting and similar activities, and work initiated by headquarters, on a uniform plan that would enable the valuable service given in Otago, Southland and Canterbury to be shared by the rest of the Dominion. The object was to bring the Farmers' Union into closer touch with the individual members, so it could provide them with actual as well as political benefits. In regard to the latter term he referred, of course, to farmers' politics, which were at present being dealt with.

The question of entering party politics had not arisen and, as far as he was aware, the opinion of the organisation was substantially opposed to any such steps. He thought farmers generally were aware of his own attitude, which was against the entry of the organisation into the party political field. Criticism and unwarranted interpretation of his remarks was, therefore, difficult to understand.