S.L development conference

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32849, 24 February 1972, Page 16

S.L development conference

A South Island development conference, similar to the National Development Conference, has been suggested to the Government by the South Island Promotion Association.

In submissions which will be sent to the Prime Minister (Mr Marshall), most Cabinet Ministers and all South Island members of Parliament the association seeks concerted research into ways of developing the South Island.

“It would be intended to take the main headings of the National Development Conference conclusions and parallel these in the conference proposed for the South Island in particular,’’ the submissions say.

“The result would be a set of conclusions under the same headings as those for the National Development Conference, but relating particularly! to the South Island.” The association suggests that such a conference could i be held in conjunction with its own annual conference.

“It is not proposed to ask the Government to contribute financially to such a conference, but it is hoped that wide representation would be available from all Government departments concerned.” Two of the particular areas in which study could be made are, according to the submissions, educational services and exploration in the South Island.

In this respect special study of the nature of schools, the standard of teaching and the supply of teachers, the standard of education achieved, and the effects on migration of the location of schools is suggested.

“It could well be that recommendations for the South Island development could entail the establishment of greater depth in technical

training through the extension of technical colleges as a separate issue to the provision of general educational facilities through universities and schools,” the submissions say.

“It is a fact that development in Australia in many of the under-developed regions occurred primarily through the Federal and state governments supporting exploration in the most tangible way possible.”

Little exploration would be done, unless the Government, compensated for the element of risk in investing in exploration by granting specially beneficial treatment to investors should such exploration be successful.

“Again, when exploration is undertaken, the possibility of establishing unkown re-

sources is increased. It is through exploration that under-developed regions are most likely to be developed.”

The submissions also contain brief reports on six different areas of the South Island, which indicate losses or gains in population and industry, the availability of labour, schools, housing and recreational facilities and the general cost of living in the area compared with the national average.

In a statement released with the submissions, the association’s president (Mr H. P. Smith) said the assocition had specifically avoided presenting the Government with another survey or economic report.

“What we are seeking is a starting point, Government blessing, and some help in

the course we follow.” he said. "One of our first steps will be to try to get all South Island members of Parliament together and to seek their combined support,” said Mr Smith.