WELLINGTON TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 December 1927, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS

FARMERS VXD POLITICS. MU W. POLSOX SPEAKS. (Special to “ Guardian.”) WELLINGTON, Do,-. 15. Gossip lias deoil busy for some time past with the name of Mr TV. .7. Poison, the Dominion President of the Farmers’ Union, as that of a probable candidate for one of the country seats at the next general election. Additional colour has been given to the rumour by a speech Mr Poison delivered at Klthani this week, in which, without displaying any particular party leaning, lie discussed the finances of the Dominion with a candour and freedom which delighted an audience composed about equally of farmers and townspeople. ” 1 believe that at no previous time in the history of this Dominion,” he said in prefacing his protest against waste, extravagance and inefficiency. " has it been so necessary for town and country people to combine in regard to national affairs. We farmers, as producers, and you townspeople, as distributors, are en<'fl"cd in an allied business, and this

business we should he tackling as one enterprise.” Emphasising the need for such co-operation, Mr Poison declared that many farmers had walked off their holdings, that there still was a great deal of unemployment, and, worst of all. that taxation was rncreasing and greatly aggravating the other troubles common to both town and country. It was time, he insisted, for plain speaking and united action.

XATI OX AT. DIM FT. During the fast seven years. Mr Poison went on to say. the exports from the Dominion amounted to L-.T27.finO.Onn. while the imports and interest on the national debt amounted to C 108,000,000, and during that time the Government had borrowed C 58.000.000 to carry the country along. •• We are living at the rate of C 10,000,000 a year beyond our income and borrowed C 0.000.000 to keep up appearances,’’ he (ontinued. “VVe have been buying our imports with borrowed money, and yet the Minister of Finance himself has laid it down as the first axiom of sound administration that our exports should pay tor our imports as well as for our overseas loans.” Mr Poison was careful to explain that he did not wish io blame the Government alone lor what had happened and what was continuing to happen. Tie blamed the electors tor attaching more importance to party than to personality; the local bodies for their own heedless expenditure; the individual for his indifference to public affairs, and the community at large for its connivance at a policy of drift. Mr Poison must ho Complimented upon having managed to say all this without betraying the slightest symptom ol party bias.

HIS BELIEF. That the president of the Farmers’ Union is not lacking in vision and understanding, however, may he judged from tin' peroration with which he stirred his Elthnin audience. ” I believe no man can be a good farmer who is not first a good citizen m all the term implies,” lie stated. “ I believe that the more points at which we touch human nature and human interests, the more liolplul and useful we become and the longer we endure. W o cannot' prosper by applying yesterday s methods to to-day. I believe that each man is in some measure master, not only of his own, hut also of his community's destiny; that good government is a. matter of business, not ot politics; that assistance in all material, moral and spiritual uplifting is the fundamental ot enlightenment and progress. I believe we need more men of every class who will appreciate this, who will stand for something beside themselves. I believe in efficiency, fervour and fraternity in a close-knit community of interests and hopes, in the same broad stand that shall make of the citizen whether he he a business man or a farmer, whatever his occupation may he. an ardent worker in the service of the State.” Faith scarcely could he pinned to a higher ideal.

DOWN TO EARTH. It is a lons' time since n speaker ivitiiin tlie sphere of practical politics in this country made so eloquent and stirring an appeal to the public at large as did Mr Poison to his appreciative audience at Klthain. What may be the intention of the president of the Farmers’ I'nion for the future is at present a secret in his own keeping; but the preacher of such a gospel as lie has proclaimed can scarcely stand aside it any constituency invites him to extend his already considerable service to the hitate. Probably no man in the public eye at the present time lias a more intimate acquaintance with rural affairs and the needs of the farmers than lie has, and certainly no farmer is better equipped by experience, observation ami achievement for the representation of his fellows in Parliament. Whether or not a mail of bis type could be reconciled to the arbitrary demands of party would remain for decision alter ho had been elected ; but meanwhile it is difficult to think of him submitting to discipline which would delay his march towards his own ideals. It was stated a few days ago that lie was associating himself with one of the new Oppositions that are rumoured to be in course of incubation, but to this story little credence need lie given.