FARMERS AND POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 June 1921, Page 5

FARMERS AND POLITICS.

FORMATION OF PARTY. OPPOSITION IN SOUTH. Christchurch, June 10. At to-day’s meeting of the North Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, Mr. G. W. Leadley moved: “That this conference, having considered the question of the formation of a farmers’ political party as referred to it by the last Dominion conference, is of opinion that the formation of another political party at present is inadvisable, but feels that there are many matters of great importance to the farming community which urgently require attention, and that the Dominion executive be requested to prepare a statement of our requirements to be presented to the Government and to members supporting the Government.” In the course of discussion Mr. G. Sheat said the battle was one between North and South. Auckland had always had this “bee in its bonnet” that the union had not taken the aggressive position it should have taken. He had taken the opposite view. “What would be the outcome if we do have a farmers’ political party?” he asked. “There would be a division, and there would be no real benefit to politics. As producers we must recognise that what is wanted at present is not division, but cohesion and co-operation, every man to use. his best brains to get over the difficulties, financial and others, of the present time. Any politician who is not doing that is not doing the best for the country, and is not carrying out the confidence reposed in him.” He did not think fanner representatives in Parliament lost their individuality. He was quite certain it would be a fatal blow to the union if a political party were formed. It was to the best interests of the farmers to remain clear of party polities, and to get all they could from the Government. He did not care whether it was Ward or Massey. He did not wish to ally himself with a party that was there just to “push Auckland’s barrow.” If they . disintegrated and made a farmers’ party it would be largely Auckland, and would exist for one thing—to push Auckland. It would be the death knell of the union. They wanted all producers to join the union, instead of forming a separate political party. The motion was carried unanimously.