Labour Candidate Opens

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31776, 5 September 1968, Page 18

Labour Candidate Opens

The Christchurch Citizens’ Association was a misnomer, Mr J. Mathison, M.P., the Labour Party’s candidate for the mayoralty of Christchurch, said last evening when his party opened its campaign with a party.

Labour was more of an association of citizens of Christchurch, he said. Only two of its candidates for local bodies lived outside the city, and within a few months all would be in the city. The party had prepared 61 points covering the six local bodies it was contesting, Mr Mathison said.

Amalgamation was an important point, and it was more than 20 years since the Local Government Commission had recommended a merger of

local bodies, but nothing had been done. Mr Mathison said that Labour-controlled bodies would have a policy of consulting representatives of sections of citizens likely to be affected by projects. This would tend to stop rumours that local body members derived benefit from prior knowledge of projects. The Government had not taken the initiative in appointing an ombudsman for local government, he said, so Christchurch would act independently if there was a Labour council.

“Passing the buck occurs frequently,” he said, “but never more so than in April when there was heavy rainfall.”

He had been asked by the Drainage Board to take up cases with the City Council, and asked by the council to take up cases with the board, he said.

It an ombudsman was necessary for Government departments, he was certainly necessary to discuss disputes between local authorities and citizens.

Industrial expansion was an important part of his party’s policy, Mr Mathison said. Existing industry should be expanded and new industry must be attracted.

The Labour Party, if it gained control of the council, would set up an organisation

to promote industry by the acquisition of land and if necessary it would build factories for purchase, lease or rental.

Mr Mathison concluded by saying that his party's policy would have a beneficial effect on public relations and reduce the municipal services. It was hoped that It would also reduce rates and go a long way to ensuring regular employment for citizens. [Policy Statement: Page 6]