POLITICIANS AND FARMERS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 868, 14 July 1910, Page 4

POLITICIANS AND FARMERS.

REMARKS BY ME. MASSE*. During its first two days, tho Domin. ion Couferenca o r the Farmers' Union lias been visited by the following members of Parliament:—Messrs. W. F. Massoy (Leader of the Opposition), D. H. Guthrie, K. Kownian, L. R. Phillipps, B. Dive, 1). Luick, Scott, and Anderson. Mr. M.issey, on entering the conference room yesterday morning, was greeted with a spontaneous round of applause, and was conducted to a seat bc-side the president (Mr. J. G. Wilson), who brieily welcomed him and the other members of the House. Mr. Masscy, who mentioned that ha was himself a member of the union, though his political work prevented biro, from taking any .active part in its proceedings, thanked the contnrenco for its welcome, and expressed pleasuro at tht» continued prosperity of the union. He also congratulated Mr. Wilson on Ixdng still president of the union. He and Mr.' Wilson had sat side by side in Parliament, and he was glad that Mr. Wilson was still the guide, philosopher, and friend of every farmer in the Dominion. The union was not, in his opinion, always right. He did not agree with tho resolution of the previous day thanking the Government for giving tile right of purchase of the Piako Swamp lands. Credit should be given where it *vas due, but ho would remind them that the Government in 190G proposed to prevent settlers acquiring the freehold of any Crown lands, and it was only after strong protests had been mado that the Government compromised by setting apart half the remaining Crown lauds as a eocalled national endowment, which hecalled a bogus endowment. "It thanks are due to anybody in connection with the opening of the Piako lands on the option system," added Mr. Massey, "tho thanks are due to ourselves." ft waa gratifying and encouraging to those who were advocating the interests of tho farmers in Parliament to find that they had such a strong body as tho Farmers' Union behind them. Ho hoped more farmers, from that conference would b3 sent to Parliament at the next election. (Applause.)