POLITICAL ACTION

Southland Times, Issue 19277, 23 June 1924, Page 2

POLITICAL ACTION

PROPOSED FARMERS' PARTY. DISCUSSED BY PROVINCIAL COMFE&ENCEL Opinions as to whether the time ia opportune for the Fanners’ Union to enter the sphere of politics were expressed at the annual Provincial Conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union held in Invercargill on Friday, when the matter was introduced by the following remit from the Invetcar* gill branch That as a result of the large increaaoi in taxation, interest, cost of production, cost of living, etc., all of which are passed on to the farmer, the tune has arrived when the farmers’ prosperity in general is threatened to its very foundation, this Conference considers the one and only remedy is united self-protection by entering and taking active part in politics. Mr Ford, the mover of the remit, averred that it was one of the most important matters to be discussed by the Conference at that meeting. For a number of years the the political arena, holding that principles were above party considerations. Opinions had changed somewhat of recent years, and it was now thought in many quarters that the time had arrived when the farmers as a body should make a forward move. All legislation of recent years, which was ostensibly designed to relieve certain conditions in one quarter, had been thrown back on to the shoulders of the producers. He asserted that it was ridiculous to say that as right thinking men they should not have a perfect right to assert themselves and strike out on party lines because the time was opportune to do so.

Mr Trotter contended that to bring another party into the political field now would only help the Labour people. If the farmers were more united probably some good results might be achieved at a later stage. Mr P. Arnott said he was in favour of the Union going into politics, but the whole question was whether the time was ripe to do it, and furthermore, what effect would it have on the affairs of the Union. He believed that such a step must come inevitably, whether it be at the next election or ten years hence, but owing to the state of the political parties to-day in the Dominion, it was not a very opportune time. Mr R. Arnott, in supporting the motion, said he was of opinion that a forward movement to-day on the part of the Union would mean increased membership and greater strength. Mr G. P. Johnston agreed with Mr P. Arnott that the time was hardly ripe for political action. Even if the farmers had succeeded in securing a few seats, there was no reason to believe that their power would have been felt. Mr Earwaker said the first thing to be done was for the farmers to agree upon a political policy. There were grave doubts whether that would be accomplished under present circumstances. Mr D. Dickie said he believed that until a policy was brought down it would be an unwise step to take. Until all the farmers became members of the Union so that natters of a political nature could be discussed properly, very little good would result. Mr T. Buxton maintained that it was first of all necessary to get all the farmers working together. If that was done, then they were going to do some good, but not before then. On the remit being put to the vole, it was lost by a small majority. THE PROPOSAL DENOUNCED. AN OAMARU RESOLUTION. (Per United Press Association.) OAMARU, June 20. At the annual meeting of the North Otago branch of the Farmers’ Union to-day, the following resolution was unanimously carried ; “That in the opinion of this meeting of farmers it is unwise and impolitic to engage in the strife of party politics, and that only general politics, as they affect the life and well-being of primary producers of the whole community should be touched by the Fanners’ Union, and that the Oamaru branch of the Fanners’ Union strongly denounces the attitude of two of the Executive members of the Union, namely Messrs Harding and Ross, in advocating a Country, or Farmers* Party.”