FARMERS IN POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 March 1921, Page 6

FARMERS IN POLITICS.

THE EXPERIENCE GF AUSTRALIA. The Country Party has occupied an exceedingly interesting position in the Federal Parliament during the past 12 months, says the Sydney Morning Herald. Its advent has, in fact, been the outstanding feature of the present Parliament, and its position, as far as can be gathered at present, will bW even more interesting this coming session. After referring to a report that Mr. Gregory \will probably succeed Mr. McWilliams 'in the leadership of the party, the ju’tiele continues:—Some members of the Nationalist Party in the Federal Parliament find themselves in the position of being Nationalist representatives of constituencies that have for the most part gone over to the Couji- ’ <ry Party in the State Parliaments. Political experts profess to believe that these members cannot go to the poll at the next election as Nationalist candidates if they wish to retain their seats, and it is, therefore, predicted that they may find it convenient at an early date after the re-assembling of the Federal Parliament to demonstrate a little more clearly their identity with country interests. In certain cases, it is suggested, the offer of Cabinet rank may be sufficient inducement *to persuade members to continue their wholehearted allegiance to the Nationalist Party. But though many may be called few can bo chosen, and much interest will be attached to those who are disappointed. Looked at in the light of these speculations, the appointment of Mr. Gregory as loader of the Country Party may only be the prelude to many interesting events, and the solution of the problem thuis created may prove to be the most difficult task which the Prime Minister, Mr. Hughes, will have to face this year.