FARMERS IN POLITICS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4408, 1 May 1922, Page 2

FARMERS IN POLITICS.

FEELING DIVIDED.

DISCUSSION AT NGATEA.

At a meeting of the Ngatea branch of the N.Z. Fanners’ Union there was considerable comment bn the merits of the organisation of a Farmers’ Political Party. The matter was introduced by the chairman of the . meeting (Mr G. T. made a report on the. recent conference held to elect a candidate to contest t'he Thames electorate in the farmers’ interests. . Mr Davidson mentioned that tyie advice which had been sent to the union regarding the conference had been sent to Mr Cleaver, the late secretary, wflio was delayed in receiving it. By the time the advice bad reachMr Cleaver, and had been sent tp the new secretary, Mr Shultz, there ha-1 not been time to call a general meeting of t'he branch members, so the best that could have been done tinder the circumstances was to call the executive together before the conference. This had been done, and Mr Hayward, who had been elected Ngatea’s delegate, had been instructed to vote in favour of the farmers contesting the Thames electorate. He wished the action ofj the executive to be endorsed. Mr Hallyburton Johnstone-wanted to know whether it was advisable to ' turn out the MjP. they already had, as the evil they knew: was better than 'the evil .they did not know." Mr. Davidson said that Mr , Ross (t'he farmers’ nominee) would be addressing a meeting at Ngatea on May. 13, and they could then form their own opinions. Mi- N. Burke moved,, and Mr T. McClean seconded, “That the motion of the executive be confirmed.” Mr Johnstone said that ’.he electors might .turn out, their own party, and the present Government was supposed to be for the .'farmers. What would happen if a Labour Government got in ? he asked. Which ever party gdt iri, it should be by a unanimous vote.He said the Labour agitators were seeking to turn the fanners but, of their homes. The electors should think twice before turning down their local man. Mr Davidson, said that the delegates of the branches of the Fanners’ Union at the conference were unanimous that a Farmers’ Party should be organised. Mr McDuff thought that if it came to a Vote of no confidence the Farmers’ Party would vote with the Mas--, sey Government Mr Msssey had neglerted the farmers lately, and the farmers should support a candidate who would look after them. Mr Johnstone said that when Ngatea was fighting for the bridge Mr x Rhodes had helped them in. every ' possible way. He thought there were plenty of Opposition seats; the farmers could run without challenging the Government nominee.* Ths motion wps, carried without dissent.