THE COMING ELECTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1471, 3 June 1905, Page 3

THE COMING ELECTION.

THE BALL SET ROLLING AT MQTU-. 'A LETTER DESCRIBED AS « AN: {ATTACK ON THE HON, J, CARROLL,’* (From Our Own Correspondent.)

At tlio meeting of the Motm branch of the Farmers’ Union, held on Friday, 26th nit., a letter re politics was rooeivod from the Secretary of the Provincial Executive. At a meeting of the Poverty Bay Provincial Executive held on the 12th inst, She question was raised as to the[ position the Union should take during the coming election in this district and throughout the colony. My Executive feels very strongly that ot present our organisation. has the reputation (and all the disadvantages of that reputation) throughout the colony of being a politioal body, and it thinks that if it is to be of any practical service to the farmers of tho oountry, it must imme-

diately take steps to take an active and firm stand at the forthcoming general election, not only to support passively those candidates in favor of our platform and. to

oppose passively those against it but to find and run candidates wherever necessary, who will fulfil the wishes of the Union. While this policy may be opposed by many members of the Union we feel most strongly that although we may lose snch we shall gain in reputation as a strong and virile body, and as snob acquire more members and more loyal support. At the last general election the questions submitted to the candidate for this constituency (at the instance of the Colonial Executive) were treated by the I member with each undisguised contempt that he did not trouble to even reply to our communication for considerably over a month after the .election. We anticipate similar treatment on future occasions un- I loss wo are prepared to actively resent it. I My Executive considers that the very ex- 1 istence of the Union in this district is de- I pondent upon the members being em- I powered to give vent to their political I opinions, aspirations, and desires, which, in I deference to the wishes of the Colonial I Conference they havo so long suppressed. I This does not necessarily imply, that the I Union would support or oppose a Con- I servative or Liberal candidate, but it would I actively and strenuously support that | candidate who is in accord with the plat- I form of the Farmers’ Union, and if each I a candidate were not forthcoming it would I then feel fully entitled to bring forward j and support a suitable man. I would I therefore urge you to forward a copy of I this letter to all Executives with the view I to adequate discussion of the subject at the I various Provincial Conferences, and I trust | that they may soo their way to take the | stand which we think is absolutely neoes- I sary in order to prolong the existence of | thß Union in this district.” j

The Chairimar} (Mr P. Wright) urged ‘members to give the letter due eousdderahion, asi it was of the utmost importance. The rtim,e h a d como "when farmers must look after their own, wants.

Mr E. : Elliott remarked Shat when the Union was started the Premier an'd cither) Ministers) did ibhei-P best to try and kill the .Union. He considered the Union should nupj a, candidate.

, Mr Richardson thought it was not .wise .that the matter should, he pressed* All present had their own DoliticaJ feelings, and the matter •should be left an open question. Mr Oxr was of opinion that p’oli-' [tics should n°t ;be introduced into the Union.

Mr -Elliott contended that tits farmers’ interests would be better looked after if they (had a member of their own.

Mr Bridge considered that if the present member refused, to forward the farmers’' interests they, Khp.uld co-operate.

Mr Richmond sanl that it was) generally understood that Mr W. Lisr sant Clayton .was going to ‘be a Candidate at ifhe forthcoming election, He was an. Oppositionist, and their policy was one that .evidently, .would not suit tho settler in the hack-blocks. ,Their policy of economy, would not skit, and they, seemed to hint that they, would reduce the borrowing policy. If that was the case, ho would not be in favor of tho Union giving its suiPPprt, because he favored tho borrowing policy of the present Government. The farmers should not expect to got the lion’s share.

Mr Elliott said farmers wo,uld get more than, at present if they had a Union members He did not think the Opposition would do away with the borrowing, hut they would do away with a lot of useless departments that were costing ’the country a lot of money. The revenue for this district during the last three years had been about £IOO,OOO, and they had not received more than £1.4,000.. There was no doubt that a lot of dissatisfaction was, caused (by, the present member. Mr Richmond siaid. that Mr Carroll had-done morefori this) district than any, previous member.. Mr Richardson considered. Mr Carroll had done very, well for Poverty Bay, and had not forgotten the Motu. Mr Elliott said that this district

was not receiving its share. .Poverty Bay paid more revenue than ‘ any, other county, other than those in which the cities .were situated. The Chairman .considered that now

was the time for repress. Farmers should combine for their mutual benefit. It was necessary, to support a candidate run by. .the .Union., Mr Richmond considered that the .Union should not endeavor to pledge its members cn condition that ho supported the Farmers’ Union candidate, who might dificr ‘widely, from his constituents in other political points. Supposing the So'ddon Government is again placed in power and an, Opposition man like Mr" Clayton returned the district would he further, bahibd, Mr Baigent considered tlj'at the district was .very,.much behind the times. Mr Richmond : It started behind, and statistics showed that ‘it was steadily forging ahead, and was now being recognised as ona of the - most important districts in the colony. The Chairman said ho thought it was for the meeting to declare whether they were in favor of the present member or not. To this .several present objected, saying, “ it was an unfair and hard question*” Mr Baigent remarked that the tendency of .towjisa>eo;pie was for the country to pay all the taxation. Ho considered tihat the letter should he dealt with, and that the farmers should take a stand, Mr Richmond said that the letter was nothing more than an attack on " the Hon. j. Carroll., 1 Mr T. Elliott proposed,, and Mr 3 £>rr seconded, that the Motu branch ' favors' the running of a candidate on ft the farmers’ behalf.' Tfio motion was carried., „