RURAL POLITICAL PARTY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20013, 11 August 1939, Page 11

RURAL POLITICAL PARTY

OTAGO OPPOSITION TIME NOT OPPORTUNE FARMERS’ UNION VIEWS (Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, this day. After a lengthy discussion, taken in committee yesterday afternoon, the Otago provincial council of the New Zealand Farmers' Union- declared itsefof not in favour of any immediate economic or political action to improve the lot of the farming community. The chairman, Mr. R. S. Thompson, moved the following resolution: “That consideration, of the council’s position in regard to the formation of a rural political party be taken in committee.” "It has gone out through the press ~hat farmers are advocating the formation of a rural political party,” Mr. A. C. Cameron said, “and we must publicly express an opinion or lodge a protest. ■ You cannot allow one thing to go out and stifle the other.” Mr. Thompson then read two remits hat had- -been passed at -the Dominion conference, the first instructing the Dominion executive to draw up a programme of action, either economic or political, to be placed before a special Dominion conference, having special consideration to the fixing of the guaranteed price or -the Government’s expressed intention in respect -,o the findings of the sheepfarming commission and, the second, proclaiming the -conference to be of -the jpinion that ultimately political action, through the medium of -a rural party, would be an effectual n-eans of securing economic justice for the farmer and the community in general. Aifiter discussion, -the meeting derided to discuss- the whole matter in committee. The following motion, which was carried unanimously, was released: "That this executive is of the opinion hat any programme of action, either economic or political, is inadvisable in the -meantime and that the Dominion- -executive be advised to that effect.”