ORGANISING AGAINST REFORM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3840, 4 September 1928, Page 2

ORGANISING AGAINST REFORM.

MINISTER OF LANDS ON THE WARPATH. Waitoa, Last Night. A vigorous attack on Mr. W. Poison, president, of the Farmers’ Union, and the Country Party’s policy, was made by the Hon. A. D. M'Leod at Waitoa to-night. “It has been said that I object to executive officers of the Farmers’ Union entering politics, as I am a member of the union,” said the Minister. “What he objected to was the union' entering- party polities, which resulted in primary producers having little or no real power in directing the country’s political actions. Mr. Poison was indirectly making use of the union’s funds by allowing union organisers to participate in organising in certain districts directly against the Reform Party candidates. Further, direct organising was being done »y paid servants of the union in favour of the Labour Part}', and Mr. Poison was aware of the fact.

“From Waikato, Taranaki, and elsewhere,” said Mr. M'Leod, “Mr. M‘Alpine, and other accredited organisers of the union had been at work for some time. He had received letters from farmers, stating they had been advised to oppose the Government at the coming elections, and even to support Labour candidates, especially members of the Farmers’ Union, irrespective of what pledges these candidates were compelled to give.” Mr. M'Leod asserted, and said it would prove true that there would be no Country Party candidates in electorates represented by Labour or Labourites, where such were members of the Farmers’ Union.

The Minister replied to statements made by Mr. Poison relative to the Finance Minister’s statements that Mr. Poison’s views on agricultural banks, State subsidised co-operative shipping, and absolute and compulsory control of farmers’ produce had changed absolutely.