Speaking To Candidates

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32143, 12 November 1969, Page 9

Speaking To Candidates

Hr

K. D. Coates

C. L Knight National Christchurch Central

The National Party’s candidate for Christchurch Central, Mr C. L. Knight, is a young man who does not accept that young people lack opportunity to take a hand in influencing government in New Zealand. A 35-year-old senior lecturer in social studies at Christchurch Teachers' College, and recently returned from a period of lecturing and teaching in the United States, he says that action by groups in New Zealand like the Progressive Youth Movement is a healthy sign because it at least shows that people are concerned over the state of society. Methods used, he considers, are a reflection of the lack of knowledge as to how to effectively influence society through existing political machinery. Mr Knight maintains that democracy is such that individuals can bring about change within the political system—change that results in action being taken affecting the community. And he gives examples to prove his point: it was at a young Nationals’ meeting in Christchurch that the lower voting age proposal was first introduced, he says, and while 20 and not 18 was the age decided on, it was felt that at least the idea had been accepted and acted on by the party at national level. It was the conviction that he could achieve improvements in education that first led Mr Knight into politics. He says he felt he could act as the voice of teachers to the political party, as an alternative to the pressure bodies of the P.P.T.A. and the N.ZXI. to which it had for a long time been subjected. Mr Knight described how, at the meeting of new National candidates when the party’s manifesto was put forward for discussion, he was successful in having proposals on education included This proved, he said, how policy could be influenced by standing as a candidate. His ideas include scope for the highly paid position in teaching—the “master teacher”—who is brilliant at his job and who should be retained actually teaching. There is a tendency to concentrate too much on recruitment, and we sometimes lose these teachers whose scope for advancement has been limited to administrative positions. Convinced that education is a major issue, Mr Knight is enthusiastic about the new design for secondary schools, which provides for individual study, the teaching of small groups and large group instruction. He talks of the need for more ancillary aid and the greater use of audio-visual aids. He also talks of the inquiry type of learning, rather than the absorption of content material and too great a reliance on text-books. With previous emphasis on the physical sciences, he points out that many people don’t fully understand the structure of society. But there will be a new social studies course in 1972 that will include political science, anthropology and sociology.

There will be an aim to teach such things as what the norms are, what leadership is, and how it is exercised in our society, as well as what the institutions are by which authority is exercised or delegated,” Mr Knight said. There would be emphasis on a study of culture, how it changed, and the interaction of cultures, he added. Mr Knight has a far from superficial view of politics, and considers that a deeper understanding of society will lead to a reappraisal of politics. Aristotle had called it “the master science,” but in New Zealand, people had been more concerned with material possessions and the increase of them, than with the perfect society. He sees New Zealand looking beyond “a typical Kiwi” to represent them in Parliament because politics are far too important to be left to the decisions of amateurs. People of qualifications and experience are needed, he says. “We are getting away from generally farmers on one side and trade unionists on the other,” he said. “When we have people like a Rhodes scholar standing, as we have this election, this will raise the image of politics generally.” The “credibility gap,” Mr Knight says, is partly due to members of Parliament seen to be going along with the party, rather than with the people they represent He sees a need for members to put up a fight for their constituents, although he adds that the public often does not realise that a great deal of hard work and decision-making goes on in caucus, and Parliament itself does not always give a true image of Government. Mr Knight, married with one child, is an M.A. with a diploma of education. He was a Fulbright exchange teacher in the United States in 1961-62, and returned as a visiting assistant professor of geography at the University of Georgia this year. Although he became a candidate after being back in New Zealand only a few weeks, and admits that he would be very surprised if elected in what has been a traditionally Labour seat, he has a positive view of his candidacy. He says the central city electorate constitutes an area of vital importance to the whole of Canterbury. But there has been little interest in development of the city centre, while overseas this has taken the form of making the heart of cities as pleasant as possible through positive planning. He also has firm ideas on spreading the rate burden more equitably. Mr Knight admits that when he first became a candidate it was mainly to act as a voice for education. But now he says he enjoys meeting people, and learning of their problems. He says he “would like very much" to eventually become a member of Parliament and feels that with a background of geography and social sciences he has had. valuable training in understanding people.