FARMERS' POLITICS

Southland Times, Issue 18973, 21 June 1923, Page 11

FARMERS' POLITICS

DISCUSSION AT CONFERENCE. “ That the time has arrived when it is imperative that the Farmers’ Union take an active part in local and Dominion politics,” was a remit which provoked a good deal of discussion at Friday’s conference of the Farmers’ Union. The remit was brought forward by the Mataura Island Branch of the Union through its representative, Mr Crampton, who stated that the farmers apparently were not prepared to back up those who were ready to represent their interests. He considered that the time had arrived when the farmers should, in their own interests, give a certain amount of backing to their representatives. The Chairman said he was afraid that the remit was rather out of order, according to the rules of the Union, but he agreed to allow it to stand on delegates stating that the rules were quite in order. Mr Martin said he thought it would be beneficial to the province as a whole, if the farming community as a body gave their nominee or nominees some backing. Mr R. Arnott stated that he was a strong supporter of the Farmers’ Union going into politics, not only as regards local bodies, but also in the government of the country. He thought that the Union was the only organised body which did not go the whole length, and personally he would like to see the formation of a farmers’ political party. Mr Dickie stated that if they did not take some interest in their local elections someone else would.

The Chairman, in explanation of his previous action in ruling out the proposed remit at a meeting, of the executive, said he had not avoided any discussion, as he gave every member a full opportunity of discussing the matter in all its phases. What he had moved out of order was a motion to submit a list of candidates at a recent local election to all the branches throughout Southland. He maintained that his action on that occasion was quite justified.

Mr Couser asked what remit had been passed by the last conference in regard to this matter.

The Chairman replied that a remit had been sent forward by the Waianiwa Branch, but this had been defeated in Wellington by 17 votes to 16.

Mr Couser suggested that they might as well go out of existence if they could not enter into politics. They must tackle the queston, and he was quite prepared to support the remit brought forward last year in preference to the remit proposed that day. Mr McLean thought that the Union should have a’ political platform, and such should be a crucial question with the candidates standing for election. Thus they would secure candidates, who would support the Union, and would have a better chance of election.

Mr Trotter said he was of opinion that if the Union took an active part in party politics it would mean the breaking up of the Union.

Mr E. Sim thereupon moved as an amendment that the remit, passed last year, should be adopted, which read as follows: ‘That this Union deem it advisable in view of the crying need for proper attention to farming interests, to have its main aims and objects printed in concise form and placed in the hands of our nominee at the next general election. And all things being equal, members of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union be urged to support the candidate nominated by our executive.”

The amendment was carried, and the original remit dropped.