THE FARMERS' UNION

Southland Times, Issue 16746, 27 May 1911, Page 5

THE FARMERS' UNION

MB Q. J. ANDERSON’S ADVICE. Among the visitors to the Farmers’ Union Conference yesterday was Mr G. J. Anderson, M.P. for Mataura, and at a convenient Interval the chairman (Mr T. W. Foster) extended him a hearty welcome. Mr Anderson thanked delegates for the reception they had given him, and stated that he was pleased to see so many representative farmers present. During the year considerable efforts had been made to establish a Farmers’ Political Party, and he was entirely in favour of that proposal In previous years he had been associated with Labour Unions, and ho knew that it was almost impossible for a body to obtain anything unless it entered the arena of politics. In regard to the proposal to support Parliamentary candidates irrespective of party, it would be a difficult matter to deal with. Personally he had always supported Farmers’ Union politics. Farmers ought to take more interest in politics. Country constituencies were in the majority, and they should make themselves heard. He was satisfied that in time they would get the optional tenure granted them. A majority of members in the House was in favour of it, but exigencies of party precluded their supporting it. The most Important question confronting the country at the present time was the financial one. The amount of borrowing that was going on was enormous. If they thought it advisable to borrow at the rate of £4,000,000 per year as had been done during the last five years, and at the rate of £7,000,000 a year as had boon borrowed last year, then they could support it. But if they thought otherwise, then they should oppose it. He advised them to study the question seriously, and to record their votes irrespective of party. The country had to depend on its exports to meet the interest bill. They should look at the question from a business point of view, and not from a political one.