Mr O'Brien opens

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33064, 3 November 1972, Page 3

Mr O'Brien opens

'X Z. Preo .Association > NELSON, November 2. : Nine persons heard the leader of the New Democrat Party (Mr J. B. O’Brien) open his election campaign for the Nelson seat last night. Mr O’Brien dealt with a I wide range of subjects, some 9* which were not included in his party’s manifesto. He said the fundamental Policy of the New Democrats; was based on the family unit and its place in society. “When the basic unit of society is right, society itself' is right. When society is right, the nation is right.” he said. '< Present social and moral decay was a result of the tearing away at the foundations of family life, he said.

Mr O'Brien said his party’s j aim was to involve parents. ; more and more with their! children’s educational activi-l i ties, starting with play | i centres. The State no longer recog-1 nised the parents of a child. ' Instead it chose to play the part of the foster parent,; making everyone dependent; on the State, Mr O’Brien said.! Every person had the right; to own his own home, ab necessary adjunct to the; 1 family unit To make this; possible interest would bei abolished on home ownership! loans. I’ On defence, Mr O’Brien! said his party’s policy was! armed neutrality. The three; services would be integrated; to form a national defence; corps. Territorial limits would I, be extended to 100 miles. I The present strike aircraft, would be sold, but other air ! craft would be retained to I

play a role for civil defence.) The R.N.Z.N. frigates' would be sold, and replaced ; |by British Tenacity-class' i patrol boats, which could I also be used for fisheries proI tection. If the New Democrat Party became the GovernIment it would enact legislation to stop licences being ! issued to industries unless ithey were equipped with complete pollutant extractiors, Mr O’Brien said. All existing industries! ;would be given five years to! halve effluent emission. In-1 'dustries emitting pollutants! after 10 years would be de- ! licensed. His party had no written policy on wildlife conservation, but it was a matter of i common sense. He considered shooting deer from heliI copters utterly stupid. Sports i clubs could exercise control lover deer shooting.