FARMERS AND POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 June 1935, Page 4

FARMERS AND POLITICS.

With the approach of the general election it is not surprising that branches of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union are again discussing the question of the union entering party politics. The North Taranaki executive of the union decided last week against such a course, but in view of the discussion on the subject by the Dominion executive it is not surprising that the movement towards such action is obtaining a good deal of support. The president of the union, Mr. W. J. Polson, M.P., in urging the union to give more authority to the Dominion executive to act and speak on behalf of farmers, indicated the need for more effective presentation of the farmers’ case before Parliament and any Ministry that is in office. Whether association with party politics would have that effect is a matter for the members of the union to decide, and the more the proposal is discussed the better, always provided those who ’ are in favour of party political action are prepared to say what party they propose to support and what policy, and to give an explanation of that policy backed by the financial arrangements they propose in order that the measures they advance can be carried out without entailing further charges upon primary industry. It is the easiest thing in the world to make promises to an electorate when there is no responsibility attached to them, just as it is easy to be an eloquent critic of others’ efforts to overcome difficulties when, there is no onus upon the critic to produce a better plan. If the Farmers’ Union decides to enter party politics it must do so recognising that such action is bound to lead to cleavages within its ranks. It may consider that compensation for the weaknesses thus developed will be obtained by the additional influence the union might achieve at elections.- Be that as it may, the question of which party and which policy the union will support is a matter quite as necessary,to consider fully as whether or not the organisation is to become a political agency.