FARMERS AND POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 March 1919, Page 7

FARMERS AND POLITICS.

PROPOSAL FSDM WAIKATO. The question of forming a Farmers' Political Party was discussed by tho executive of the Waikato sub-provincial district of the Farmers' Union at Hamilton on Friday. In jtovmg that tlw executive eonaiuer the question of forming a" Farmers' Political Party, Mr R. I). Duxfield said he had formerly thought i there was no need for a farmers' political party, bat his views had changed acd he agreed that thoee who had advocated the foiraation of such a party were right. It was no use sending men to Parliament who would pull both ways, as so many members were doing at present. Candidates promised all sorts of things, foot as soon aa they got into the House they appeared to go to steep At one time, to have touched anything in regard to politics would have damned the union, but times had changed, There was a better understanding among farmers; thsy were not so suspicious of each other, and had learned that their interests were identical. Theyjffiould, therefore, now laimcli ont. and form a strong and active party in politics- Unless they did this, the resolutions passed by them would have little re3nlt- He had recently attended a conference of about 200 farmers at Whangarei, and had been impressed by the views expressed there in favor of entering politics They should not wed themselves to either party, but should draw up a platform of fundamental requirements which tbey eonld submit to candidates. They should; not obsenro their views and aims, or tie down their representatives too stringently on minor matters One of tbetr cardinal planks should he in regard to the fixing of prices. The fixing of prices for wheat, butter, etc., had met with disaster, t.nd had satisfied no one. They were against the fixing of prices, for they did not want interference with the natural law of supply and demand. The question of the maintenance of the mam arterial roads might be another plsnk in the farmers' platform. When the platform was drawn up they could submit it to candidates and support only ( those who promised to endeavor to carry it out. New Zealand had taken the lead in organising farmers, but was now falling behind. la Australia a Tarmnrs' Union candidate had recently defeated a Labor candidate. He was not advocating a party aggressive to the

other sections of the community. The ix'pplo of the Dominion relied "on the land, and in studying their own inter ests the farmers were considering the interests of every section of the oommunitv. The position of politics in New Zealand to-day was very unsatisfactory. They had the same taihoa policy in regard to Native lands as that which prevailed twenty yean ago. They had members in the House who'had expressed the most i-evolutiop.arv viewsIt was time the farmers were' up anil doing.

Th» matter was fully discussed, practically every speaker etaing in favor cf the proposal. It seemed to he generally recognised that if the farmers' interests were to he safeguarded, a political party must be formed. The motion was earired, and will bo submitted to the next conference. It was further resolved that it be an instruction to the Advisory Hoard to formulate a platform for the proposed party, and submit it to the, next meeting.

FARMERS ORGANISING. Palmerston North, March VU The farmers of Manawaiu and Rang*.tikei continue to steadily organise their forces, and the •provincial organiser of tiip N.Z. Fanners' Union. Mr Tanorbd Cooper, met with a splendid response oft his provincial tour. Mr Cooper visited Feilding, Wanganui, Waveriey, Marton, nrmtervflle, Mongaweka, and Kaetihl, and in all those places great success- attended his efforts. It was unanhnonslv agreed by unions throughout to raise their subscriptions to the amount paid in the Fajmerstori district The Raeiihi branch has established <i fine precedent. T*v contributing a further fwo or 'fI)TC9 guineas per annnm the members have made arrangements to build an institute te cater for their wives and children, affording a comfortable reeting-place when visiting that centre: This will fill a much-felt want, and it will be interfetin'g'to «>e if Maiiawatn farmers are induced to make a similar move. The faet that a farmers' club has alTeadv been established in "Raetibi makes the p/ojeei more striking. The organiser hopes that a great number t.f branches in the Wellington province will follow Rnotihi's example. Mr Coiner will now visit Woodvitla, Kuraeroa, Pahiatiia, an.L Eketahuna districts.