MR POLSON

Hokitika Guardian, 3 September 1929, Page 2

MR POLSON

REPLY TO CRITICS. (Hy Telegraph—Per Press Association.) WANGANUI, Sept. 2. “Don’t you understand that it is a political dodge?” said Mr W. J. Poison, M.P. (President of the v . N.Z. Farmers’ Union), in reply to a question yesterday os to what he intended doing in connection with agitating done against him by certain branches of the Farmers’ Union. Mr Poison remarked: “The Farmers’ Union is a non-party political organisation. It contains all shades of political opinion. One Sub-Prqvincial President is a Labour Member of Parliament. Another President is the Reform Party’s Whip. In the past the late Sir James Wilson was both the Dominion President and a. Mem-, her of Parliament. In my case, I .have put aside any possible opportunities for political preferment in order to remain an Independent, so that I may do justice in the House to my fellow farmers, without being tied to any Party. The suggestion that the Presidency of the Union is only compatible with the support of Mr Coates is one which the ’farming community as a whole will not subscribe to!” “What about your attitude on taxation?” asked the interviewer.

Mr Poison replied: “I have been subjected of course, as a perusal o! Hansard will disclose to you, to the most persistent attacks and the most studied representations that have ever fallen to the lot of a new Member in Parliament. That is mere politi.s. It is hoped by a group of large landowners, who dislike, my views on close settlement—which views, after all, are in line with the Farmers’ Union views —to so weaken my influence with the farmers as to make the Union a purely Reform organisation; and so : this agitation. I am as strongly opposed as any man in the House to piling taxes on the farmer, and when the opportunity occurs and the Legislation is brought down, I will not hesitate to do my duty; but I am in favour of bursting up the very large estates, provided that they are suitable for settlement, and I believe a temporary primage tax for the balance of the year to be the least dislocatory and the most easily levied tax, and also one which will, under the circumstances, only be partially passed on. r lo suggest that I. should have voted against the Government on a No-con-fidence Motion is absurd. The Government- may amend its proposals as the result of the Budget discussion. As far as the Farmers’ Union is concerned I will take an opportunity of putting these questions in the proper light when the session ends. I will not allow any misrepresentation a clear field!”