FARMERS AND POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 July 1922, Page 5

FARMERS AND POLITICS.

A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION. VIEWS OF THE UNION. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, July 26. The question ■whether the farmers of the Dominion should enter party politics and form, if necessary, a Farmers’ Party, was raised at the Farmers’ Union Conference to-day. Mr. Goodall (Nelson) moved that the conference is not in.Javor of the union entering politics at the present time, and this was carried without discuseion.

Mr. Johnston (Southland) moved that the union deems it advisable, in view of the crying need for proper attention to fanning interests, to have its main aims and objecta in a concise form placed in the hands of our nominees at the next general election and, all things being equal, members of the Farmers’ Union be urged to support the candidate nominated by our executives. The wording of the remit was “criticised and the words “nominees” and “nominated” struck out, and “candidates approved by our provincial executives” inserted. The president said members should support the candidate who most nearly subscribed to the union’s view, no matter what his polities were. Sir James Wilson maintained that the union’s attitude and efforts had largely resulted in the adoption of the existing land system, as opposed to the leasehold eystem.

Mr. Harding (Auckland) replied that it was because the Reform Party came over to the side of the freehold that the present land legislation had been carried. If it had not been for that all the efforts of the Farmers* Union would hare been null and void.

Mr. Buxton (organiser) said it would be dangerous to bring party politics in at the present juncture. Mr. Mills (Taranaki) warned the conference that if it went into party politics it would probably result in splitting the union.

Mr. Wilson (Auckland) to the success of the farmers in Canada. Although the farmers in New’ Zealand were the bulwark of the Dominion they practically counted for nothing at all politically. The Auckland executive was going right on in the course it had entered upon and he was sure the time would come when the far mere of the Dominion would be marching under that banner.

Mr. Monro (Auckland) said the movement was not new, it was world-wide. Auckland wanted to fight for the farmers as farmers.

Mr. Harding (Auckland) said that if the present platform of the Country Party, as laid down in the little book published, was adopted no one would suffer and everyone would gain. The Country Party in the north was gaining ground every day. Mr. Polson, president, declared that nowhere in the world, where farmers bind been successful in their aims, had they been successful by the aid of party polities. He besought them to keep clear of party politics. The resolution was finally adopted in the following form: —“That this union deems it advisable, in view of the crying need for proper attention to farming interests, to have its main aims and objects printed in a concise form and placed in the hands of all candidates at the next general election.”