THE COUNTRY QUOTA

Evening Star, Issue 25170, 9 May 1944, Page 8

THE COUNTRY QUOTA

FARMERS SEEK ASSURANCE OF RETENTION (P.A.) WANGANUI, May 8. • Strong dissatisfaction with contentious legislation which was described as being detrimental to the farmers and the country as a whole and fears that future measures would be even more detrimental, particularly any alteration of the country quota, were expressed when deputations from six county councils waited on the Wellington Central Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union at its annual meeting at Marton to-day. The delegates were unanimous that farmers throughout New Zealand should organise' against such measures as were likely to imperil the primary industry of; the Dominion. Suggestions tha't farmers should refuse to pay rates were made, but were not favoured. A resolution was adopted deploring the fact that the Government had seen fit to introduce contentious legislation during the present critical period after having made a promise that no such contentious legislation would be brought forward till after the war. The counties represented were Kiwitea, Manawatu, Kairanga, Pohangina, Oroua, and Rangitikei. A further resolution was carried unanimously urging "that an assurance be obtained from the Government that the country quota will not be interfered with, as such action would be a distinct breach with the fighting services, particularly those serving overseas..