POLITICAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1582, 12 October 1905, Page 2

POLITICAL.

THE FARMERS’ UNION.

■At the meeting of the Farmers’ Union Executive yesterday, the question of the Union's political attitude again oropped up. The Gisborne branch forwarded particulars of a meeting of delegates from the branohes to disouss questions of local im portanoe to be asked candidates. Mr W. D. Lysnar had been appointed their delegate, and when the two questions were received from the Colonial Executive the delegates from the other branohes would be notified of the date of meeting. It was resolved on the motion of Mr Lyscar, seconded by Mr Watson, that the selection of the third question to be put to candidates be left to the delegates from tho branohes. It was further decided on the motion of Mr WatsoD, seconded by Mr Lysoor, to write to all branohes reminding them that they were expeotsd to appoint delegates to consider tho third question to be put to Parliamentary candidates, and pointing oat that the Executive desired the delegates to formulate the one question to candidates of looal importance.

Mr Lysnar did not think they should Beleot any iudividual candidate, but Bimply leave it to the intelligence of the Union as a whole. Directly they brought patty matters into their ranks a split would bo caused, and dissatisfaction • ensue. They had to look at the matter in a broad light, and not do anything that would cause division. They should get the candidates' reply to questions, and then leave the selection to the individuals.

‘ "But that is not polities,” said the Chairman (Mr Chambers). 1 " We want to get away from politics in our ranks,” said Mr Lysnar. Mr Clayton :, That is not in acoordanoe with the Colonial Executive's circular.

Mr Lysnar considered it was quits open for the Executive to say the delegates should not make a selection. The President eaid Messrs Wall and Clayton were on the Farmers’ Union tioket; the third, Mr Carroll, was Bgainst them,

Mr Lysnar: No. \ The President said Mr Carroll was dead against them on the land question. He could not be chosen by any member of the Farmers’ Union, exoept Mr Birreil, who, the speaker was glad to see, had now taken a political stand. Were members of the Union snoh fools as to run two candidates and make Mr Carroll’s return a oertainty ? The delegates would have to go to the meeting and decide which of the two Union candidates would have to

retire, or else the Union members were playing the fool. Mr Lysnar said that the Union could only judge as to whether Mr Carroll would ran for them when they saw his answers. He believed there would be no serious split in Mr Carroll's views with the other candidates. The President: Mr Carroll has voted against the freehold being granted to tenants, whioh is undoubtedly one of the three questions to be put to the candidate.. Mr Lysnar said he did not know what happened in the House during the last day or two. • "The delegates have got to face the question,” rejoined Mr Watson. Mr Lysnar: Quite right; we are doing it now by formulating questions. j " And not picking the candidate—we might as well break up,” added the Prosit dent,

Mr Lysnar said that the Union was going back, bat other members held that this was not so, Mold, Tiniroto, Tolago Bay and other branches being mentioned as evidenoe of the vigorous life of the Union. ’ - •'

Mr Elliott’ (Molu) pointed out that if every farmer was to vote according to his own views what was the good of having a conference ?

Mr Lysnar: We formulate the qaes lions and gel the replies. Mr Elliott: What will bo the good ol ihst ?

Mr LysDar said they wanted to go ou tho lines of the Salvation Army, to let nothing come into their ranks whioh was nos their goal. The President: The Union tells you to keep out of party politics, but the whole institution is to obtain befer treatmoot for farmers. Politics is tha main thing in the Union. ,

Mr Redpath agreed that party politics only ware eschewed. Mr Watson said the Union would not be taken notice of if they remained neutral. The President and Mr Elliott said the Union would have no weight if |hey did not go into politics. After further dispuesion it wqs resolved to point out to delegates that the selection | of a candidate for the Waiapu Beat would I bo made, if necessary, et the mee ting. The Executive decided to recommend the Gisborne branch tp call the meeting on a suitable day at Show tijno, the branch to be thanked for the prompt manner in which they had responded to the Executive’s letter.

’(Per P»ess Association.) Ashburton, last night. Jo3eph Sealey, candidate for Ashburton Beat, addressed the electors to-night. He declared himself a strong supporter of the present Government. He was in favor of the leasehold with the right to acquire the freehold at the original value. He was not a prohibitionist, and would not interfere with the present Licensing Act, but would prefer national to local option. He was against the reading of the £ ble in schools. He was prepared to borrow to complete railways at present ia course of construction, Ho was accorded a vote of thanks,