THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Waipa Post, Volume XXI, Issue 1301, 7 October 1922, Page 2

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

FARMERS' UNION QUESTIONS. PLEDGING THE CANDIDATES. Four questions for submission to candidates at the forthcoming general election have been issued by the Dominion executive of the Farmers' Union. The Dominion secretary, in a covering letter, states that it is de sired to obtain the views of the provincial executives. The letter, which it was proposed to submit to candidates, stated that there were four planks in the Farmers' Union platform, which the Union regards as being of overwhelming importance at the present time. "The situation of the farming community at this time is desperately serious. The report of the Taxation Commission alone is a sufficient indication of the drift of affairs. We see our competitors abroad adopting various reforms designed to bring about the betterment of their position." The letter draws attention to the agricultural banking system adopted in Europe, America, South Africa and to some extent in Australia, and also cited the co-operative market system and a producers' shipping line as a means of improving the farmers' position. The necessity for relief from the burdens Qf taxation was also stressed. The pledges which the Union proposed to ask candidates to subscribe to were as follows: —

(1) That you will support a genuine agricultural banking system, embodying such features as Bavaria possesses and capable of affording facilities for more 'liberal and cheaper finance to producers. (2) That you will support legislation giving the various divisions of the primary producers the right to establish compulsory co-operative marketing systems.

(3) That you will actively assist in passing legislation for the establishment of a producers' shipping line, with reasonable Government support and supervision. (4) That you will vote for the radical reduction of taxation and consequently for greater economy in the administration of the country.