FARMERS AND POLITICS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9302, 31 July 1908, Page 3

FARMERS AND POLITICS.

THE QUESTION OF A COALITION

PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS ADVOCATED.

[Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON. July 81. At the Farmers' Union Conference to-day, the president (Mr J. G. Wilson) stated that the Conference had thrown out a recommendation from Southland " that, in view of the danger of the three-party system being introduced into New Zealand politics, the Farmers' Union should discuss the advisability of urging the Premier and the leader of the Opposition, to consider the question of coalescing." He added that an important resolution had been passed by the Conference in the following terms:— "That the time has now arrived when the Union as a whole must take a more active part in politics, and a firm stand against Socialis^ tio legislation, and that all farmers candidates should be asked to pledge themselves to oppose all measures detrimental to the farming community, whether they may be Government measures or otherwise, and that in any electorate where more than one candidate pledges himself to do so a meeting of delegates from each branch m the electorate shall be called by the premier branch, and such active steps be taken as are deemed desirable in the electorate to secure the return of a candidate who can be relied upon to support the Union's platform in Parliament irrespective of party, and tnat this Conference draw up a series or questions embodying the policy of the Farmers' Union for use in electorates.