RAISING A STORM

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 125, 28 May 1937, Page 10

RAISING A STORM

FEAR OF SOCIALISM

MR. POLSON ANDTHE

FARMERS

(Special to the "Evenino Post.")

PALMERSTON N., This Day.

A vigorous appeal to farmers to fight the Socialistic tendencies of the Labour Government was voiced by Mr. W. J. Poison, M.P., at the interp'rovincial conference of the Farmers' Union at Dannevirke yesterday. He declared that the country was committed to straight-out Socialism, which was only a disguise for Communism. A delegate: Rubbish. Mr. Pobon: All the modern writers on Socialism reveal that there is no difference. The objects of both Socialists and Communists are the same. "And," he added, "Socialism means the entire destruction of liberty." Mr. Poison spent some time expounding conditions in Russia, and declared that the Hon. W. Nash could not have gone there after trade, as there *was no trade to get. At this stage Mr. C. Smith (Mangaweka) interrupted, declaring, on a point of. order, that the union consisted of men of all shades of political opinion and by harping on Russia Mr. Poison might be offending some members. Mr. Poison: I knew I was going to raise a storm. lam very serious about this and declare that the union must rescind resolutions favouring a socialistic policy.The speaker added that . the Government had already disclosed its intention not to allow flic freehold to exist in this country. There were other rights the people were going to lose as well. He didn't want to see the farmer down to a mere wage worker. The demands of the "masters of the Government," the trades councils, were growing. Trades unions were mastering the Parliamentary machine. There was also a danger of farm workers becoming trades unionists. "Your rights and privileges are being assailed, and unless you declare that your backs are to the wall you are going to see the socialisation of New Zealand," Mr. Poison added. "Are you going to be timid and refrain from party politics? You have been handling politics in the interests of the farmers with every Government. Stand up and fight or you will find yourselves deserted in the time of trouble."