THE FARMERS' CORPS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1923, 4 December 1913, Page 9

THE FARMERS' CORPS.

MORE TALK IN THE, HOUSE.

A further reference to the Auckland movement for the formation of a Farmers' Union Constabulary Corps was made in tlie House of Representatives yesterday by Mr. (1. W. Russell (Avon). Ho read the statement of tho objects of the organisation, and the form of declaration of allegiance as published in the Auckland papers, and asked tho Prime Minister whether ho would make inquiries as to the truth or otherwise of' tho statements made, and whether, if they were true, he would take steps to prevent the establishment of a eorps of this class, which would probably iio followed by the establishment of similar corps in other centres, and the leaiing of tho country in an almost incessant stato of internecine warfare.

Tho Prime Minister said that the Covernmenfc knew no more about this matter than it had seen in the newspapers. No information of an official nature had reached the Government. He would inquire into the matter, and would later on let tho Ho'ise know what was being done. Ho could state, however, that lie knew every member of tlie committee whose names had hem: mentioned by Mr. Russell, and that ho was quite certain that these gentlemen would do nothing that was inconsistent with law and order and loyally to the Crown.

Mr. Russell: The'existing law of the country prohibits this kind of tiling— tho drilling of armed men.

Mr. Massey: I am quite certain that nothing will ho done by these people that is not consistent with the laws of the country.