FARMERS’ UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1596, 28 October 1905, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION.

I (To the Editor of the Times.) Si:,—At the present liras when politico I are an absorbing topic 1 tbink a few lines on the Farmers’ Union’s action, from the point of view of one who is taking an active part in the work of tbo Union, will be of interest to many oi yonr readers. I wish it to bo clearly understood that I am not writing in any offioial oopsoity, bnt simply as a member of the New Zealand Farmers' Un'oo, who has its t us interest at heart, and who has a firm belief in the principles and prospeots of that Union. For several years the opinion has steadily been gaining ground—both in this diatriot and thronghont the colony—that tbe Union should take a more active and definite stand on its principle of true as opposed to party politics. Remits on the subject from various centres have been discussed at previous colonial and provinoial conferences, and at the colonial conference held this year in Palmerston a committee was set up to advise on the matter with a view to formulating a sobeme for the proper representation of the Union’s platform in Parliament. The upshot of this is that aoiroular, emanating from the bead of the Union, has been forwarded to each branob indicating the direction in whioh it is considered advisable to aot. Briefly this as follows:—Spaeial delegates from each branoh should meet and dis« ouss tho whole question of representation. Arrangements sh-md be made for asking \ candidates certain official Farmers' Union questions. On the receipt of their replies, either in writing or from the public platform, the delegates should meet again, and seleot the oandidate they think most suitable to represent the Farmers’ Union interests. It then rests with members to put | all private and party feelings aside, and loyally work to support the decision of their delegates. Tbe initia'ioo of the j movement ia life to ths branoh, in each i electorate having the largest number of members. Ihave heard exception taken to this; some think tbe Provincial Executives should be the moving bodnf, but a scheme o! this sort must be uniform to be oomplete, aud in localities where there are soveral electorates or .parts of electorates in one Provincial Executive 1 district, action by that Executive would bB impossible. It is on these lineß that the Union ia acting in Poverty Bay. Tho Colonial Electoral circulars have been sent to ell branohes, and delegates have mot and discussed the whole subjeot exhaustively. The offioial questions have been forwarded to the various candidates, | and another meeting of delegates will bo held at the end of next w&ek, when the answers should be to band, and a decision can and probably will be arrived at as to who is the best man to represent tbe Farmers’ Union interests, ond with them the interests of the whole farming community in the House. It should then be tho earnest effort of every member of and sympathiser, with our Union to use his beat endeavors to loyally back up the decision of the delegates and do his utmost to thus further the interests of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union.—Yours, etc.. A. R. WATSON.