POLITICAL PARTY FOR FARMERS

Southland Times, Issue 23893, 11 August 1939, Page 8

POLITICAL PARTY FOR FARMERS

OTAGO DISCUSSION IN COMMITTEE

“ACTION INADVISABLE IN

MEANTIME”

(United Press Association)

DUNEDIN, August 10.

After a long discussion taken in committee this afternoon the Otago provincial council of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union declared itself not in favour of any immediate economic or political action to improve the lot of the farming community. The chairman (Mr R. S. Thompson) moved that consideration of the council’s position in the formation of a rural political party be taken in committee. “It has gone out through the Press that the farmers are advocating the formation of a rural political party, Mr A. C. Cameron said, “and we must publicly express an opinion or lodge a protest. You cannot allow one thing to go out and stifle the other.” Mr Thompson then read two remits that had been passed at the Dominion conference. The first instructed the Dominion executive to draw up a programme of action, either economic or political, to be placed before a special Dominion .conference, having special consideration to the fixing of the guaranteed price or the Government’s expressed intention on the findings of the Sheep Farming Commission. The second proclaimed the conference . to be of opinion that ultimately political action through the medium of a rural party would be effectual means of securing economic justice for the farmer and the community in general. After discussion the meeting decided to discuss the whole matter in committee. The following motion was carried unanimously and released: “That this executive is of opinion that any programme of action, either economic, or political, is inadvisable in the meantime and that the Dominion executive be advised to that effect.”