FOR COUNTRY PARTY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 671, 24 May 1929, Page 6

FOR COUNTRY PARTY

Political Power Sought AIDING UNION AIMS FE association of the Farmers’ Union with politics and political views came in for searching' review and a wealth of opinion from the provincial conference. Several speakers urged that the party should not link itself definitely with any political organisation. The conference eventually decided to recommend to the Dominion conference that it should seriously consider supporting the Country Party.

An important feature revealed by the discussion was that many delegates firmly believed that the union, j to achieve its aims with any degree of success, must have direct representation in Parliament by men who understand land conditions. On behalf of the Walton branch, Mr. W. Melrose moved that it be a recommendation to the provincial executive that it should give serious considerar tion to the question of making the Farmers’ Union a strong political party. Mr. Melrose said the idea was that the union should strengthen its support of the political party and exercise the backbone to stand by the men who represented their interests in the House. GAIN WITH POWER “We have found that where other organisations have political power they have gained.” he went on. “Labour is an instance. I now call upon the Farmers’ Union to exercise its power with a similar object. “I know there will probably be many who will be In arms if the union falxes political sides. I have seen this in my own district. There is an old saying that the strength of a chain is governed by its weakest link. “Thera is a cry: ‘What has the union done?’ Much has been accomplished, but the union has not received credit. We should take steps to show the Dominion what we can do. ORGANISED STRENGTH “If we get our political strength and our votes organised, we can go to the House and ask for our remits to go through. We have to show the power we have in New Zealand. “I feel sure that every member must know that, if we have not men in Parliament, our debates will' largely be useless.” Mr. E. L. Walker said that the logical conclusion of the union’s work that machinery should be created to carry the union’s purposes through. Although there were farmers in Parliament in large numbers, when they got t" Wellington they became "that party.” They were ruled by a caucus. “Why not let us use this principle ourselves?” asked Mr. Walker. “With power such as this we could accomplish much.” TOO MANY PARTIES “If this remit is carried,” Mr. H. L. Henderson said, “the sooner you drop the word ‘union’ the better. I contend that there are too many parties in New Zealand today. Narrow party selfishness should be avoided. Do not hinge to any clique or party.” Mr. Barrowclough suggested that the word “party” sdiould be altered to “force.” He poinred out that practically every subject taken up by the union was affected by politics. He could not see that there would be objection to the exertion of political force. “We want to make the union a political force which will support any party that will support the union,” he said. Mr. H. O. Mellsop pointed out that the Country Party meant straight-out work on behalf of New Zealand as a country. ! Mr. Feisst moved as an amendment Mr. Barrowciough’s suggestion of a i political force. It was found once, after close consideration, that it was necessary to have a political party outside the union. The remit, in its present form, could not be honestly supported, but Mr. Barrowciough’s suggestion was highly suitable. Mr. Barrowclough seconded Mr. Feisst’s amendment. “Even the amendment is insipid and spineless,” Mr. R. H. Hatrick said. He suggested that it should be a recommendation to the Dominion conference to consider making the Country Party a strong political party. “It has been said before now,” said Mr. E. Babe, “that New Zealand farmers should have their standards of living reduced to that of European peasants. This must be fought out ou the floor of the House by the Country Party and no other. The farmers ] are faced with a huge question.” LABOUR’S RISE Mr. H. MeCready: Sixteen years ago the Labour Party was a joke. Now it iis a power. We should have had that power. “We will lose members through this,” said Mr. G. Butterworth. Mr. Boyd said that a start had been made and the movement would have to be continued. There had been no OFFICERS ELECTED EXECUTIVE AND DELEGATES Officers elected by the Auckland provincial branch of the Farmers’ Union are: Executive committee: Messrs. W. H.i Allen, H. E. Annett, W. Boyd, H. Bar-* ter, F. C. Elliott, C. E. Gane, C. I. llarkness, J. B. Jordan, J. TT. Jones, A. N. Macky, H. O. Mellsop, H. C. McCready and A. McConaughie. Delegates to the next Dominion conference: Messrs. W. IT. Allen, H. E. Annett, W. Boyd, R. 11. Feisst, A. F. Giles, C. I. Harkness, J. W. Jones, A. >7. Macky, TJ. O. Mellsop, C. C. Munro, A. E. Robinson, E. L. Walker and A. McL. Wright JERSEY BREEDERS’ CONFERENCE OPENS IN AUCKLAND NEXT WEEK The annual conference of the New Zealand Jersey Breeders’ Association will open in Auckland on Friday of next week. The conference is held at different times in most of the main breed centres of the Dominion. It is about five years since the last Auckland conference.

redress for past grievances. There would be none unless the farmers had due representation. Mr. A. W. King said he had been instructed by his branch, Taumarunui. to oppose the remit, but he was able to support the amendment. “The work of this conference will be lost without direct representation.” said Mr. G. McCorkindale. “We would do well to get behind the Country Party.” REMIT WITHDRAWN Mr. Melrose said he would withdraw his remit in favour of the suggestion that the Dominion conference should consider supporting the Country Party. The amendment to replace the word “party” with “force” was carried by •a small majority and became the motion. The suggestion to ask the Dominion' conference to consider supporting the Country Party was brought forward as an amendment and was also carried. The suggested recomm tidation to the Dominion conference was then carried. It became the motion and was carried easily.