Speaking To Candidates

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32119, 15 October 1969, Page 8

Speaking To Candidates

/Jr

K. D. Coates

H. E. L. Pickering National Rangiora

Making no apology for being an idealist, Mr H. E. L. Pickering, M.P., is quite articulate on the sort of country he wants New Zealand to be in the future. "1 believe in a competitive society with increased margins for skill, education and responsibility,'* he says. The National Party’s candidate for Rangiora is aware of his varied background but sees it as an advantage. “I was second in a family of 15 and any economic recession has a big impact on a large family.” Six years in uniform, including training as a pilot and overseas service in the R.N.Z.A.F., explained some of his idealism in that he felt he owed it to those who did not come back, to take some active part in politics. “I may be an idealist, but I hope I have my feet firmly on the ground.” Mr Pickering said. ‘‘But I'm a liberal, clearly.” And early he had been faced with deciding whether he was as far left as to accept socialism, or sufficient to the right to accept private enterprise. At the time of making his decision, the Labour Party could be fairly termed a socialist party. Indicating an individualism not so marked in some other politicians, Mr Pickering said he had crossed the floor of the House over capital punishment and had differed over the wheat price set-up. “I have criticised the Government for its errors of omission," he said. But after it “grasped the nettle” of the unfavourable economic situation and did necessary but unpopular things, he had experienced considerable satisfaction and pride over belonging to a team which did these kinds of things. He still differed over various elements of policy, but of course there was scope for differences of opinion and discussion within a political party. Asked about violence, Mr Pickering said he believed the causes were deepseated, indicating a malaise in our society. Aspirations must have an outlet, he said. If a challenge was removed people would find one. Climbing mountains and playing football helped, but were not enough—more was wanted. What was needed in New Zealand was a competitive society with increased margins for skill, education, responsibility and plain, hard work. I asked Mr Pickering whether he believed it was possible to provide an elaborate social welfare system and still achieve a competitive society. It was necessary, he said, to set a floor below which social security must not fall to provide for those in need. But it was also necessary to provide both, and in doing so emphasis was important. Mr Pickering is 50 years of age—“still young enough to feel that we are not ■ moving in some directions as quickly as I would like.” He has a farm at Motunau Beach, but says he is not a farmer in the sense of having farmed all his life. He said he had been trained as a teacher and bis varied background corresponded to the varied nature of the Rangiora electorate which included rural areas as well as Rangiora. Kaiapoi, Belfast and some of Papanui.

“It is an extremely interesting electorate and I am particularly interested In the need of town and country to co-operate,’’ he said. While Mr Pickering believes in competition, he said it was necessary for new industries to be protected. He did not favour immediate abolition of import control, but of protection generally, he said it should be phased out over a period of, say, 10 years. Further, it should be done on a scale known in advance, similar to the system adopted by the E.E.C. Much of the criticism of politicians is unfair, considers Mr Pickering. “People just don’t know what work we do,” he said. It was pretty much a seven-day-a-week job and he made himself regularly available to electors. Invitations to attend functions had to be treated judiciously when the preparation of legislation was also concerned. “But the member of Parliament today should not be a person who slaps everyone on the back and goes to every bunfight; that is not what we are paid to do,” Mr Pickering said. As well as general apathy towards politics, the public attitude towards politicians was influenced by the way in which parties criticised one another. “We shoot each other down, and the tendency is for people to believe all politicians are no good,” he said. First elected to Parliament in a byelection for the Hurunui seat in 1961, after the death of Mr W. H. Gillispie, Mr Pickering says he sometimes gets frustrated as an M.P., but there have also been satisfactions. “I was one of those opposed to the Nelson cotton mill and we won the day eventually,” he said. He considers that while there must always be an element of dedication and service in national politics, the amount members are paid is not sufficient for the job they are called on to do. He was not advocating fabulous salaries, but a realistic salary was important when it came to a candidate considering the effects of leaving his normal occupation. “And this does apply in the Opposition ranks rather more than in ours,’’ Mr Pickering said. Of the future, he said he hoped for complete equality in New Zealand and this would involve full integration of various racial groups. More industrial development of i fairly sophisticated nature was desirable giving scope for an intelligent population with considerable initiative. The country was already moving in this direction—its aircraft industry was a good example. Rising, costs were a problem for farmers, agreed Mr Pickering, but a competitive society would ultimately help them in that they would have the benefit of highly competitive articles when buying. “We are also doing the right kinds of things to help the farming industry,” Mr Pickering said. “Research for farming must be continued, the fertiliser subsidy is an aid to production and there is the dairy beef incentive scheme.”