COUNTRY PARTY.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18365, 24 April 1925, Page 19

COUNTRY PARTY.

A NEUTRAL FARMER.

(fbess ASSOCIATION tzleokah.)

WELLINGTON, April 23,

In one of the provinces I was attacked recently for favouring the Country Party, and I regret to say that the provincial officials did not stand up in my defence," stated Mr W. J. Poison, president of the New Zealand Farmers' Union at a meeting of the Dominion Executive to-day. An attack was made and no reply has yet appeared so £ar as I have been able to learn. Now there is one thing on which I pride myself, and that is that I have never favoured any party since I have held the reins. I have been absolutely neutral, and I have sunk my own political feelings in order to stand by the motto of the Farmers' Union, 'Principles not Party.' I have gone further than this. Aucklanders will bear me out that two years ago I went up and faced them and asked them to drop political action. I pointed out that it was a Dominion matter, not a district matter. I told them that if they were loyal to the Dominion Executive they would drop political action. So far as my personal position is concerned I don't care a rap, but I do feel my position as head of this organisation. We expect members to be loyal to the organisation and assist their officers when they are wrongfully attacked. I bring this matter up hero because it is just one of those things which make my job pretty difficult at times. I want to remove any impression that I am connected witli any political party."

The chairman's statement was followed by a brief discussion on political matters generally, and it was stated that, branches were losing members as a result of the Union's attitude on political matters. Mr K. D. Duxfield (Auckland) said that so far as ho could see it was no offence to support the Reform Party, but once tho Country Party was supported it was an unpardonable offence. Mr A. A. Eoss (Auckland): I caiv assure the meeting that the Country P:>.rty has never received any assistance from" Mr Poison. (Laughter). The chairman: I hope that will satisfy yon, gentlemen.