The Daily News. SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 1922. FARMERS AND POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 June 1922, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 1922. FARMERS AND POLITICS.

In passing a motion approving of the formation of a Country Party, at the conference of farmers held in Auckland on Wednesday, the farmers, present, no doubt, considered they were making a progressive move. It is quite right that all sections of the community should be represented in Parliament, but the multiplication of parties is qu‘te another matter. The manifest evils of party government have frequently been discussed, and as frequently condemned, yet no better substitute has been evolved. In theory, at least, the House of Representatives should consist of members charged with the duty of legislating for and advancing the interests of the whole community in strict fairness to every class. In practice that Assembly is composed of men pledged to support one or other of the parties in the House, with an occasional socalled Independent who prefers to he a free lance, and sometimes a thorn in the fle.-h. of his fellowmembers. The Dominion president of the Farmers’ Union did his utmost to point out to those present at the Auckland conference the danger of that Union taking part in party polities, and he urged them not to shipwreck the Union. Moreover, he plainly stressed the fact that a Farmers’, -or Country, Party must either support or oppose the Government of the day, but his appeal fell on minds al ready made up. Considering that the Reform Government is always regarded as, representing the farming community, it is somewhat difficult to understand the object aimed at by forming a separate party. Already the farmers have been well treated by the Government, and should be satisfied with that treatment, knowing full well that the Reform Party, which largely depends on the farmers for support, may be trusted to give them a square deal. The fact is that the real functions of Parliament are gradually losing their status and becoming a battle ground for sectional privileges rather than a means for meeting the nee d s of the people as a whole. It would seem the time has arrived for the people to readjust their views as to the composition of the House of Representatives, and to select only such men for that position of high trust and responsibility as can be rel'ed upon to do what is best, for the community, adjust conflicting interests, and aim at promoting the welfare of all sections and under all circumstances. This may be considered as idealism, but the ideal is one that should be aimed at. There are. of course, farmers who are well worthy of a seat in the House, and could bring to bear those legislative qualities that are much needed. That is not the question. The evil is in extending the party system, which has already proved a source of much waste of time and money, and led to unsatisfactory legislation. It is quite right for the farmers to organise so as to forward their interests, but when it comes to forming a separate political party the danger is greater than appears on the surface, especially as it may lead to embitterment and friction. Wherever the farmers are strong enough to win a seat they can return a member pledged to their interests, and that should suffice. In these strenuous times it is unity, and not disruption, that, is needed, and in that direction the farmers can, if they will, set a worth}- example.