APPEAL TO YOUNG

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31215, 12 November 1966, Page 22

APPEAL TO YOUNG

—H. E. L. Pickering (National)

I urge our young people in particular to vote, to take their friends and neighbours to the polls and persuade them to vote too. For them, three issues are vital In this election—three very important differences between National and Labour policies will directly affect their future.

They are the economy, the calibre of the team chosen to govern the country and whether or not the security of New Zealand will be guaranteed, through collective security by honouring our obligations to our allies. It is as simple as that. Labour policies of retrenchment will -cause a recession, as they have done under a socialist administration in Britain. The National Government’s emphasis on developing our resources means we will produce more, we will earn more, and full employment with ample job opportunities for our young people will be assured. Differences

It is not true that there are no differences between the parties; but if you are not interested in the complexities of economic policies you can judge solely on the grounds of which team is best fitted to do the job. Compare National’s reliable and dependable Minister of

Overseas Trade (Mr Marshall) with the untried, unknown quantity offering from Labour’s ranks. Compare the wide and varied experience of National members, representing every section of our community, with the narrow, sectional and socialist approach we get from Labour.

If we compare leadership we find Labour excel only in numbers, with three in the House, plus domination by the Federation of Labour. In contrast, on the National side we have the proven ability of Keith Holyoake with a trusted team behind him. On Vietnam the Labour Party has blundered, has under-estimated and lost the confidence of young New Zealanders who still believe in honouring our obligations and whn are prepared to oppose communism.

Finally, young people of Rangiora, concerning the work and availability of your local member, think back to those advertisements in “The Press” advising that interviews are held every week; think of the progress in North Canterbury on land development, roads, bridges, telephones, new schools, halls, sports facilities and homes.

I give you my assurance that if you keep Rangiora in the capable hands of a National Government I will continue as a full part of my duties to represent your personal interests.

Smaller Draft—The United States Defence Department yesterday called for a draft of 27,600 men in January, the lowest total for a full month since last summer.—Washington, November 10.