RELATED TOPICS 251 
social order can best be realised in its relation to this 
general tendency. Two early mottoes of the Union were, 
“Policy—not party,’’ and ‘‘Defence not defiance.”’ 
The record of the achievements of the Union shows that 
it has been an important factor in moulding legislation 
in the Dominion. In some respects this legislation was 
very contentious, especially that referring to land 
tenures. It is claimed for the Union that it was 
responsible for the Land Act of 1912, which reversed 
almost completely the land policy of the Dominion 
during the preceding 20 years. In fact, this was one 
of the main questions upon which the election of 1911 
was fought. Whatever may have been the intention 
of its founders the Union has found it almost impossible 
to keep clear of politics. To secure its policy it has 
turned to the legislature, and, justly or unjustly, has 
often been associated with a certain brand of politics. 
But during recent years the activities of the Union 
have shown more and more its tendency to class interests. 
This is clearly shown in the words of the President, 
Sir James Wilson, when giving an account of the work 
of the Union.* After dealing with the progress of the 
agricultural and pastoral industries during the last two 
decades of last century, the President spoke of the 
restiveness of labour and the forcefulness of some leaders 
of Trades’ Unions. He even goes so far as to say that 
the Union was formed as a combination of farmers, ‘‘so 
that their side of the case might be heard.’’t Further, 
the President wishes ‘‘to emphasise the determined 
attitude we have adopted towards Socialism, Land 
Nationalisation, Single Tax Theories, Syndicalism, and 
*See ‘‘The Journal of the Canterbury Agricultural and 
Pastoral Association.’’ Vol. 1., 3rd series, page 28, (April 1913). 
tThe first: Annual Conference does not support these words, 
and I am assured by one of the founders of the Union that such 
was not the cause of the origin of the Union. What it does 
show is the inevitable tendency already spoken of above. 
