FARMERS AND POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 June 1921, Page 4

FARMERS AND POLITICS.

The question as to whether the Farmers’ Union should develop into a political party has been a matter for discussion for several years past, but so far has not been settled, though it. is quite possible that, in course of time, a farmers’, or country, party may come into being. At present the farmers should have every reason for being satisfied with the Government of the day, which was brought into power largely owing to the inducements put forward for the support of the farming communit. The Reform Government is essentially a farmers’ Government The fundamental principle of any effective union of farmers must be the upholding and forwarding of interests which they all hold in common. This necessitates harmony, whereas politics have a way of fostering strife—not' necessarily of an objectionable kind, but none the less keen on that account. It is quite conceivable that under conditions different from those which exist in the Dominion, it would be advisable for farmers to unite for political purposes, but, as as a speaker at the recent meeting of the North Canterbury branch of the union observed, a farmers’ political party would create a division and be of no benefit to politics. The resolution passed at that meeting expressed the opinion ‘ that the formation of another political party was inadvisable, and, so far as the farmers are concerned, this view is uncontrovertible. They are doing very well under present conditions, and should leave well alone.

“What is wanted,” said one speaker, “is cohesion and co-operation, every man to use his best brains to get over the difficulties—financial and others—of the present time.” If the Farmers’ Union wants to become a wreck it should form a political party, but if it aims at promoting the best interests of the farming community it should steer clear of politics. incidentally the discussion turned on the much vexed controversy of North v. South, and the desire of Auckland to control the destiny of the Dominion. This shows how easily rifts may develop in the lute, and how important it is to avoid the discords produced thereby. There is ample scope of action for the producers in attending to the many matters in which they are directly concerned, and they would be well advised to concentrate on these rather than make the union a battleground for political strife.