Farmers ’ Action On Rabbit Rates

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30442, 16 May 1964, Page 1

Farmers ’ Action On Rabbit Rates

(New Zealand Press Association) HAMILTON, Mav 15

I” farmers are taking rent rabbit board con-

Matamata’s “rebel the initiative in the cm troversy. The combined ratepayers’ association, representative of a large number of farmers who are opposed to the allegedly undemocratic way in which the Rabbit Act is framed and administered, decided yesterday to send a deputation to Wellington to discuss the question with the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Taiboys). Mr Taiboys will be asked to allow an impartial inquiry into the necessity for rabbit

land opposum control In all parts of New Zealand. The farmers who have refused to pay their rabbit board rates have the support of the 7300-member Waikato branch of Federated Farmers. “The federation can hardly condone the action of these farmers in breaking the law, but it is in full agreement with the principle which prompted the farmers to refuse to pay their rates," the provincial president (Mr R. Woolerton, of Rukuhia) said today. “The federation wishes to ensure that these fanners get a fair go—-something they are not getting at present from the domineering Matamata Rabbit Board." Mr Woolerton said that his decision to represent the combined ratepayers’ association as a member of a deputation to the Minister of Agriculture, meant that the farmers had the backing of the federation.