COUNTRY QUOTA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25566, 20 June 1944, Page 6

COUNTRY QUOTA

ABOLITION THREAT “ GOVERNMENT DETERMINED ” ' The opinion that “the Government is determined to alter the rules” in an “ attempt to save its own skin ’ was expressed by the Leaderi of the Opposition, Mr S. G. Holland, in a reference to the country quota in an address m Christchurch. He said that the Opposition could not prevent it, but that public opinion could. Mr Holland said that New Zealand s economy was built on primary production. At least half New Zealand’s standard of living came from over-seas-all the. metals they needed, rubber, cotton silk, and oil came from overseas.. Before they could be imported New Zealand had to export orimary products. For that reason it had always been considered that the primary producers should have adequate representation' in Parliament, which was achieved by the country quota. As a result, there was a balance which had been so perfect that when the people wished to make a change they had been able to do so, as they had done in 1935., “Now the Government sees the writing on the wall; anyone can. see it,” said Mr Holland. Mr Holland said it was not m the interests of New Zealand to have a Government dominated by the cities. In the last eight years there had been a trend in favour of the cities, and the results were apparent. They could not blame any country worker if he left his employment for a better-paid job in town. “It would be a colossal disaster to the economy of New Zealand and to the security and happiness of its people if the basis of the economio structure were destroyed,” said Mr Holland. “If they chisel into the foundation the whole structure will come tumbling down. Thirty-three men cannot beat 45; they can give them a good run for their money; but in the end they will get beaten. Only one thing can stop this thing happening, and that is a healthy public opinion.”