FARMERS’ UNION STRIFE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 772, 19 September 1929, Page 10

FARMERS’ UNION STRIFE

DISSENSION IN WAIRARAPA BRANCH PRESIDENT IN POLITICS Prats Association MASTERTON, Wednesday. Five resignations of members, four of them farmers who objected to Mr W. J- Poison being both Dominioh president of the union and a member of Parliament, were before the Wairarapa provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union today. The secretary and several individual members stated that many members who accused Mr. Poison of bringing party politics into the union were threatening to resign. In a lengthy discussion, little if anything was said in criticism of Mr. Poll son’s attitude toward the taxation prol posals. and some members endorsed his attitude. All agreed in praising his services to the union. The main line of criticism was that the Dominion president, by becoming a member of Parliament, inevitably brought party politics into the union. * Mr. T. R. Barrer said he thought Mr. Poison had made a grave tactical mistake. The president of the Farmers* Union outside the House Representatives could exercise a far greater influence than any member sitting in the House could exercise. Air Poison had made it clear that he spoke in the House as member for Stratford but most members failed to distinguish between the member for Stratford and the president of the Farmers’ Union. Mr. H. Davsh defended Mr. Poison, contending that if adverse things were said about him they would have more resignations. Mr. W. A. lorns dissociated himself from any motion reprimanding or censuring Air. Poison. Mr. R. S. Pilmer moved that a mit be sent forward providing that a Dominion president, on entering Parliament, should automatically resign his position. Air. H. Bennett, in supporting the resolution, said that if Air. Poison voted mostly with one party he might just as well be a member of that party. Mr. C. C. Jackson, provincial president, said he was strongly of opinion that if Air. Poison continued in office there would be many defections from the ranks of the union. Air. Duncan AlcGregor and other members, having pointed out that there was no question of attempting to get rid of Air. Poison before the end of his present term. Air. Pilmer’s motion was carried on the voices. The executive also passed a resolution instructing the secretary to write to any members who resigned, asking them to reconsider their decision.