Lust week in Parliament LOCAL ISSUES ADVANCED BY CANTERBURY MEMBERS

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32425, 12 October 1970, Page 3

Lust week in Parliament LOCAL ISSUES ADVANCED BY CANTERBURY MEMBERS

(By

C.R. MENTIPLAY.

our Parliamentary reporter)

Last week saw a great deal of legislative progress in a session which is moving not over-swiftly to its close. In such circumstances it is not always easy for the local member to get in a “plug’* for his district.

Canterbury members on both sides of the House are among those who do their best to keep local issues forward. Often this is done by representation outside Parliament, but there is often a chance in the House itself.

These Canterbury men made, the most of their opportunities. ’ Tbe point that some Canterbury towns, notably Ashburton, would benefit under provisions of the Development Finance Corporation Amendment Bill was made in Parliament by Mr C. C. A. McLachlan (Nat., Ashburton).

“It is true that industry starting in towns such as Ashburton does not have access to the same financial resources as industry which tries to get off the ground in the larger metropolitan areas.” Mr McLachlan said. “When the Minister was in Ashburton with me recently (for the opening of the industries fair) he must have seen for himself small industries springing up which will in the future need financial support. “I want to make the point in support of this bill that the smaller places in particular will benefit from it. It is another step towards bringing progress and prosperity to New Zealand.” Mr McLachlan spoke about the amount of corporation borrowing which was going on in Europe, where firms such as British European Airways borrowed on their own account from Western Germany. He quoted Labour speakers as declaring themselves against the original Development Finance Corporation Bill in 1964.

He said that last year firm loan applications to the corporation numbered 56, compared with 32 the previous

year, and that the approved loans totalled $3,700,000, compared with $1,600,000 the previous year. “The way to make progress as a nation, to overcome poverty and low living standards, does not lie, as some people believe, in the redistribution of wealth through taxation policies, Although there will always be some need for this. The key is in the use made, and-the rapid development of, a country’s assets and capital.” Port Hills trees The urgent need for the use of every available seedling to advance replanting schemes on the Port Hills and in the Chatham Islands, as well as elsewhere in New Zealand, was advanced again by Mr T. W. McGuigan (Late. Lyttelton)-during discussion on Forestry estimates. Mr McGuigan outlined reaction after it had been announced that 250,000 surplus seedlings were to be ploughed into. the ground at the Forest Service nursery in Canterbury, People who applied for some of these seedlings, he said, had been tqld that none were available. •

“As schoolchildren we were encouraged to plant trees,” Mr McGuigan said. “Now as adults we are apparently to be discouraged.” Residential suburbs on the Port Hills, Mr McGuigan said, were having erosion problems caused mainly by the elimination of gorse and broom on the hillsides. Tree-plant-ing could not be left to the local authorities.

The Government, through the Forest Service, had a responsibility, and should not fob off the problem by saying that local authorities should do the job, and that trees were available through normal nursery channels. He foresaw danger as building increased oh the hill slopes without a comprehensive tree-planting programme.

The Chathams, he said, had the twin problems of conservation of indigenous bush and the establishment of new forests. The native bush was peculiar to the island, and should be protected—but no protective steps had been taken.

“The day is not far distant,” Mr McGuigan warned, “when there will not be a tree or bush on the islands. The bush should 1 e conserved —even if only for building canoes for transport from the islands when the final aircraft is cancelled by this Government.”

Mount Cook urgency . The urgency of getting the Mount Cciok development plan moving was emphasised by Mr R. L. G. Talbot (Nat., South Canterbury) during discussions on the estimates of the Lands and Survey Department. He congratulated the committee on its exciting and far-reaching proposals, and thanked it for its collaboration with the South Island Promotion Association and others interested.

“I feel there is urgency to get this $11,500,000 scheme under way immediately,” Mr Talbot said, “and I am pleased that the committee is to meet in November to frame proposals to put before the Government.”

He had some important questions to ask: How long will it be before land and sites are available at Mount Cook for the scheme? When will the National Roads Board announce its decision on the resiting of State Highway 8?

“It is essential that the plan for the village at Lake Pukaki should be completed as soon as this decision is made," Mr Talbot said. “The new village and the-Mount Cook expansion project are complementary, and implementation should start at once. “The new highway from

Lake Pukaki to Mount Cook will be completed by 1972. Large investments will be needed from all sectors, public, semi-private and private —and opportunities must be made available for immediate development.” Hospital scheme Keen appreciation of the work of the Paparua County Council in forwarding its desire to provide hospital services for the people, particularly the elderly, was expressed by Mr M. A. Connelly (Lab., Wigram) during discussion on the Health estimates.

“The Paparua County Council, a progressive local

body, has shown itself conscious of the social needs of the community,” Mr Connelly said. “I understand that it is the Government’s view that a local authority does not have power under the Counties Act to carry out such a work and that subsidies may be paid only to religious and charitable organisations. Will the Minister support a local - bill promoted by the county: council?

“Alternatively, under what! conditions would the minis-' ter permit a local authority to participate in a subsidy: scheme? The Government has' an obligation to stand behind J local authorities which are socially-minded.” The Minister of Health (Mr McKay) indicated his sympathy with the project. He' said his officers would discuss the proposal with the council. |