RAISING A STORM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23205, 1 June 1937, Page 2

RAISING A STORM

FEAR OF SOCIALISM MR POISON AND THE FARMERS A vigorous appeal to fanners to fight the Socialistic tendencies of the Labour Government was expressed by Mr W. J. Poison, M.P., at the interprovincial conference of the Farmers’ Union at Dannevirke last week He declared that the country was committed to straightout Socialism, which was only a disguise for Communism. A delegate: Rubbish. Mr Poison: All the modern writers on Socialism reveal that there is no difference. The objects of both Socialism and Communism are the same. “And,” he added, “ Socialism means the entire destruction of liberty." Mr Poison spent some time expounding conditions in Russia, and declared that the Minister of Finance (Mr W. Nash) could not have gone there after trade, as there was no trade to get. At this stage Mr C. Smith (Mangaweka) interrupted, declaring, on a point of order, that the union consisted of m.en 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 the freehold to exist in this country. There were other rights the people were going to lose as well. He did not want to see the farmer down to, a mere wage woi’ker. The demands of the “ masters of the Government,” the trades councils, were growing. Trades unions were mastering the parliamentary machine. There was also a danger of farm workers becoming trade unionists. “ Your rights and privileges are being assailed, and unless you declare that your 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 Double.”