THE FARMERS’ UNION.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 24 July 1901, Page 3

THE FARMERS’ UNION.

fc A Burst Up.

(our parliamentary reporter)

Wellington, July 24. The hostility of Government to the Farmers’ Union was further exhibited by an incident that occurred last night. A meeting of the Government party was called to consider an invitation to the members to attend a dinner given by the Farmers’ Union, Palmerston North, on Saturday next, and about thirty attended. Among those, however, who received invitations was a member of the Opposition, who was asked to consider his action by the fact that he represented a farming constituency. This was a Canterbury member, and he soon discovered that the object of the meeting was to “ burst up ” the Farmer’s Union; and, having delivered himself to the effect that at a previous meeting, when a combination of the Farmei’s’ and Producers’ Unions was decided on, nothing of a party character was raised, he. apologised for his presence at the gathering where controversial matter was to be discussed.

Hardy, who was the member in question, was pressed to remain, and some of those present urged that party questions should be excluded from consideration. Eventually, the meeting separated without passing any resolution, but several of those present expressed their intention of attending the dinner. In the event of a further meeting being held, the probabilities are that all those in sympathy with the movement against the Farmers’ Union will be carefully excluded.