FARMERS IN POLITICS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7269, 27 October 1910, Page 4

FARMERS IN POLITICS

It is quite easy to understand tie caution Which impelled the executive of the North Canterbury Farmers' Union to discuss in camera the project to form a political organisation “ for the protection of farmers, independent of party.” The difficulty of the position on such an occasion must be very considerable. How the sponsors of this scheme propose to cement the agricultural community into a party which shall not be a party has yet to bo revealed, hut apparently the polities of the organisation are to be so exceptionally electric as to be acceptable to the “ large and the small” .alike. It is, however, pertinent to inquire what one gentleman who urged this combination meant by his despairing advocacy of cohesion “ before it is too late." If we were asked to crystallise the trend -of government during the last twenty years in New Zealand the answer would unhesitatingly be that the promotion of farmers' interests, the creation of more and still more settlement,, and the .encouragement of rural v pursuits by legislative and departmental policy has been the outstanding feature. For what particular , class has the State done most in that period? The farmers, unquestionably. Why, then, this mournful warning “Before it is too late?” It 'wouldl be idle at this stage to follow into the by-ways of detail the position of the farmer in relation to the State, for the facts are familiar to everyone. Is the Farmers’ 'Union going, to tel Liberal farmers that they are to sink their political belief and join an organisation which shall be a mere hybrid? Is it going to tell Conservative farmers that they must not vote for Mr Massey and his friends? It may bo so, but we have doubts upon the second point. By what alchemy, there is to be fusion between the interests of the working farmer, with a moderate holding, and the great landowner wo cannot even protend to guess. It will certainly not be by a parade of political bogies and scarecrows. The words “walk into my parlour ” might form an appropriate heading to any invitation, addressed to' the farming population on this subject. There is not much mystery from whence this scheme proceeds.