APPEAL TO FARMERS
FIGHT AGAINST SOCIALISM MR. POLSON'S VIGOROUS SPEECH [by TELEGRAPH —own correspondent] PALMERSTON NORTH, Friday A vigorous appeal to farmers to fight tho socialistic tendencies of the Labour Government was voiced by Mr. W. J. Poison, M.P., at the interprovincial conference of the Farmers' Union at Dannevirke. He declared that the country was committed to straightout Socialism, which was only a disguise for Communism. A Delegate: Rubbish.
Mr. Poison: All modern writers on Socialism reveal that there is no difference. The objects of both Socialists and Communists are the same. Socialism means the entire destruction of liberty. Mr. Poison spent some time discussing conditions in Russia, and said that the Hon. W. Nash could not have gone there after trade, as there Was no trade to get.
At this Stage Mr. C. Smith (Mangaweka) interrupted, on a point of order, asserting that the union consisted of men of all shades of political opinion, and by harping on Russia Mr. Poison might be offending some members. Mr. Poison: I knew I was going to raise a storm. I am very serious about this, and declare that the union must rescind resolutions favouring a socialistic policy. The speaker added that the Government had already disclosed its intention not to allow freehold to exist in this country. There were other rights people Were going to lose as well. He did not want to see the farmer down to a mere wage worker. The demands of the masters of the Government, the trades councils, were growing, and tho trades unions were mastering the Parliamentary machine. There was also the danger of farm workers becoming trades unionists. "Your rights and privileges are being assailed, and unless you declare that youf backs are to the wall, you are going to see the socialisation of New Zealand," Mr. Poison added. "Are you going to be timid and refrain from party politics? You have been handling politics in the interests of the farmers with every Government, Stand up and fight, or you will find yourselves deserted in time of trouble.''
APPEAL TO FARMERS
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22741, 29 May 1937, Page 16
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