Speaking to candidates

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33066, 6 November 1972, Page 23

Speaking to candidates

(Ken Coates)

That well-known Parliamentarian, Mr Paddy Blanchfleld, Coaster born and bred, has faith in the future of the West Coast. “Never for one split second have I ever admitted that the Coast

was depressed, but underdeveloped with the potential to be developed,” he says. "I can visualise a coalfired power station going in very smartly if we are the Government, near Stockton, using the same type of coal it was planned to use at New Plymouth. “It would be a base-load station feeding into the national grid. The trouble has been with the talk of developing ilmenite sand and beech forest that the Government could not promise sufficient power. “We would also not scrap the Greymouth to Hokitika railway line. One of the reasons why the regional abattoir proposal reached a stalemate was a fear that the line might not be in operation in two or three years time.” Mr Blanchfleld finds plenty about the West Coast to be optimistic about. The experts agree beef production can be doubled and then doubled again, tourism is booming, professional men are doing well, so are the dairy farmers (“we might be out of luck with the sheep not catching the big rise in wool but then we haven’t got the numbers compared with Southland or Canterbury”), building has reached a record in Westland county, Hokitika is booming and so is Hari Hari; Ross has a fur industry employing 23 employees. “The only thing in the whole of the Coast that wants a little bit of a kick along is the coalmining industry,” he says. “Sawmilling seems to be stable, but with some competition from substitute lines such as aluminium, they are finding it hard to sell some timber.” But he sees the biggest problem facing the Coast as loss of population. “We have to look for industries to keep the young people from leaving,” Mr Blanchfleld maintains. “I don’t want to see any of our towns developed into cities — I abhor the thought. The quality of life is pleasant as it is, with a small population. It is easy to get to know your neighbours and it is an easy-going life. But the fact is the Coast needs industries.” With the decline of coalmining has come the drop in people — 10 years ago in the Buller there were 2700 miners, but today the number is down to 1400; in the Grey Valley, there are 200 where once there was 1200. Government departments are shifting their offices and this means fewer jobs. One way at aiding Coast development, he says, would be establishing freight differentials for Coast products. Mr Blanchfleld is optimistic over the prospects of beech development. “Our biggest hurdle is to overcome the preservationists—the man who wants to shut everything up, who has a dog-in-the-manger attitude, as opposed to the conservationist who conserves resources for recreation and enjoyment.” As he sees it, it will not be vandalism to utilise the beech forests under skilled management. As to economics, Mr Blanchfleld says: “I see no reason to stampede in front of those who say it means a take-over by foreign countries like Japan, Australia and Britain. There will be ample room for New Zealanders to take shares — there will be $3 million spent on anti-pollution measures for a start, before spending something like $lOO million on plant and untilisation.” He considers that when it is established, the beech utilisation complex should be situated in the northern part of the electorate. Reefton is one centre Mr Blanchfleld considers must be helped by any government The town’s sawmill has never been reconstructed after fire, it has not shared in the tourist boom and there is little by way of industry to keep sons and daughters there, he says. Paddy Blanchfleld makes no secret of the fact that he would not say no to being offered a portfolio such as Minister of Mines or Railways, but his first priority is the welfare of his beloved Coast. As he says, “it is an investment for any Government to invest in the Coast.”

Thirty-six-year-old Grey-mouth-bom Mr John Bruerton, who teaches geography and English at Greymouth High School, believes that in the West Coast’s fight

for survival, people should not look for solutions handed to them on a plate. A strong advocate of small but vigorous new industries that are springing up, he says the future of the area lies in a combination of Government assistance and what individual effort and enterprise are able to achieve. Nothing will be solved by stop-gap palliatives. John Bruerton, single, whose father was a fitter and turner with a business in Greymouth, went to Christchurch Teachers’ College and taught at city schools and at Methven and Pigeon Bay. In 1960, he decided to study at university and to help meet the expenses involved he worked at Benmore ,in factories and on farms. “I think I still have a Workers’ Union ticket as a result of my time at Benmore as a labourer,” he says. With six units, including political science, Mr Bruerton taught for a period at St Andrew’s College and at Heaton Intermediate School. Then it was back to the Coast “and I was happy to come home,” he recalls. But before he returned he had joined the National Party's intermediate group in Christchurch “which I saw as a liberal genesis.” At that time, he recalls, the group even had a trade union representative to address it, against considerable opposition. Of Coast development, Mr Bruerton says every Cabinet Minister who has visited the area has always remarked on its potential. “There must be more widespread land development, a decision on paper pulp and development of industries utilising farm products,” he maintains. “And the products must be those overseas customers want to buy.” TURNING TO FORESTS As Mr Bruerton sees it, the West Coast for 100 years provided its customers with coal; now the area must look to its forests, scenery, river flats and drainable swamps to provide a living. “My particular interest is in small export-focused businesses making souvenirs, jewellery, fur products, furniture, sports equipment and general engineering products,” he says. “Hotels, motels, contractors and garages are also playing their part — it can be done.” He emphasises that a member of Parliament is stronger in a Government seat an in Opposition. “He is in a better position to use legitimate lobbying, and the Ministers are, of course, in the same caucus.” What of his chances of election in an area that was virtually the birthplace of Labour? “Until 1969,” he says, “it looked as though the West Coast was a permanent captive of the Labour Party. “But it held Westland with only a 44 per cent vote. Labour has, however, proved powerless and I predict Coasters will defend themselves this time as their alliance with Labour is proving a disastrous failure.” Mr Bruerton sees the issue as leadership on a national and local level. Asked why people should vote for him he replied: “I have a background of keen interest in politics and the necessary training to analyse problems and find solutions.”

The former Greymouth Mayor, Dr Barry Dallas, who last election polled 4570 votes as an independent, sees great possibilities for the West Coast if he is elected. If the election result is close he, as an independent, could hold a powerful vote. “I would have strong bargaining power that the party man would not have,” the doctor points out. Born in Masterton and taking his home on the .oast nearly 20 years ago, Dr Dallas is a strong advocate of its natural advantages and way of life. But he sees the need to develop and avoid stagna tion, and maintains ani independent M.P. could be the catalyst needed in Wel-j lington to stimulate action. “The support I have gained indicates that people want this type of voice and * representation for the! Coast,” he says. “The area has slipped, back further, particularly in Buller, and it needs a person free of party restraints Mr Muldoon’s policy is to]

let these areas slip—he said after the inangahua earthquake it was far better to let the place go.” Dr Dallas feels there is a place for the independent M.P. in New Zealand. The party system, he argues, has resulted in a lowering of the standard of the party candidate who often is a 'party hack.” “I suppose it is rather quixotic to try to buck the system, but I am trying,” he adds. “And even if I don't make it. I hope other professional men. and those with local body experience, will be stirred into action. There are many capable men in New Zealand who just cannot accept the party system in national politics.” INDEPENDENT AND FREE The doctor feels that as an independent in Wellington he would be free to choose what he wanted to do in the interests of people on the Coast. “I would not have to sit and listen to tedious debates, but I could visit the departmental offices in Wellington where the decisions that really count are made. “If there is a block, I would find out where it is and do something about it. This is work that the party politician cannot afford to do because he must toe the party line.” The doctor’s view of future development is little different from that of other candidates. It includes utilisation of beech, development of a beef cattle industry and tourist industry amenities. He wants to see progress on the Collingwood-Kara-mea road — “it has been talked of for the last 20 years.” Dr Dallas also considers the coal industry should be reshaped into providing for specific needs. Metallurgical coal could be supplied but the whole sales attitude to selling all coal must be changed, he says. High sulphur-content coal must not be sold as Strongman coal. Coal-fired power must also be considered—it might well be preferable to flooding thousands of acres of the Clutha Valley. Asked what he sees as the biggest bar to his election, Dr Dallas says traditional patterns of party allegiance and the mistaken feeling that voting for an independent is a vote wasted. “It certainly would not be wasted; National or Labour members are told how to vote, whereas an independent is free to work hard in the best interests of the Coast.” The doctor says he is sure of widespread support, particularly in Buller where the people are looking for an alternative. “They are fed up, and have lost too much to believe in political promises any more.” As to his chances. Dr Dallas rates them: "The same as last time: fifty-fifty. And this time it’s now or never."

The Social Credit candidate, Mrs Heather Woodhall, lives in Blenheim, and her political partner, 31-year-old Mr Jeremy Woodhall, is candidate for Otago Central. Mrs Woodhall says it is correct that they are campaigning as a husband-and-wife team, but she has not been married to Mr Woodhall either in a church or a registry office. She confirmed she was still married to a Mr New. of Tokoroa, with whom a separation agreement had been signed on May 29. Mrs Woodhall says she has every legal right to call herself Mrs Woodnall and is in the process of changing her name to Woodhall by deed poll. Mrs Woodhall says she is not at all perturbed over her marital status and says the churches have money invested in big business of doubtful ethical standards. “As far as the league is concerned I take full responsibility,” she says. She maintains she wilt marry again in the first church which denounces usury. She expresses strong opposition to foreign companies being involved in New Zealand’s finance system and says that the top 10 most profitable firms are overseas owned. “I am keenly interested in the environment," Mrs Woodhall adds. “The economic system is at variance with the environment." She sees monetary reform as the key to overcoming the problem with establishment of a central credit authority. In this way, cheap credit would be available for anti-pollution measures, she says.