LOCAL ELECTIONS Candidates’ messages

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33650, 27 September 1974, Page 10

LOCAL ELECTIONS Candidates’ messages

The need to preserve the environment has never been I more important than today. Smaller sections have caused | a decline in both the number 'and size of trees. Water, air land noise pollution are grow; ! ing problems. The Waimairi iCounty Council is a leader lin the’ battle to improve the

situation and T believe it must continue to do so. It was the first council in New Zealand to make insulation of new homes compulsory, and to establish a clean air zone. Fluoride in our water means that one dental nurse can look after 700 children, compared with only 400 in Christchurch City. Waimairi is basically an area where people live. They may work elsewhere, but they look to the county to provide recreational facilities and community needs. Scientific discoveries, greater life expectancy, smaller families, shorter working hours and higher living standards mean that the needs of the people are changing, and local bodies must keep up with these. If re-elected I intend to do my best to keep Waimairi among the most progressive councils in the country.

There are many issues and problems in local government that require attention and the Waimairi county is no exception. Good communication with the ratepayer ranks high on my list of priorities. Another issue directly affecting many residents is that their interests must be considered first when land is zoned. Ratepayers must also have the opportunity to receive a fair and prompt attention to all complaints. I believe that the council must place greater emphasis on environmental controls. Factors such as noise and smoke pollution, especially rubbish fires must be looked into. I am also concerned with the amount of litter on the roads leading to the council’s refuse pit. An effort must be made to clean up this area. My experience on many organisations during the last 15 years has given me a real interest in helping others. I consider that the welfare of people is my major concern.

The development of Christchurch vitally affects us all. It is. therefore, important that those entitled to vote should vote and elect repre-

sentatives whom they are I sure will work solely "in the interests of the city and its environment. Having served 110 years on the Drainage Board, I am more than ever ■ convinced of the great need ■ for men and women who live ■in the city and have the 'time, energy and public I spirit to serve Christchurch. I There is no place in local government for sectional interests. Knowing from experience the issues and problems involved, and the need to be ever watchful that the needs and rights of the people are guarded, 1 again offer my services in the full knowledge that all my efforts will be devoted to making our city worthy of its people. My knowledge of the drainage problems of the city will be of value as a city "councellor, and 1 can provide greater liaison between the council and the board.

I have lived in the Wairarapa riding for 12 yeans and have taken an active interest in community affairs, regularly attending council meetings and pursuing many issues such as the waterpressure problem, destruction of trees, airport noise and Memorial Avenue landscaping. There is a definite need for improved communications between the council and residents, with a sympathetic understanding of people’s problems and a proper concern for the environment, thus ensuring the harmonious development of the community. A women’s .viewpoint is needed in Waimairi. As a housewife and mother with diminishing family committments, I have the time, energy and enthusiasm to devote myself to the service of all electors. I firmly believe that all citizens of urban Christchurch should be able to vote for a Mayor >- to represent the whole city. This is one of the essential reforms I shall press if elected.

I am standing for the Pegasus ward because I have lived here all my life, and feel very much a pail of it. Until the last three years, this area was neglected by the council, and while 1 am pleased at the way the area has gone ahead under a Labour council, I feel that there is still a lot more work to be done. My special interests are the environment, child care, recreational facilities and housing. But I also think that the council has an important part to play in helping to solve some of the more intangible problems of city life. It is important that all ages and both sexes be represented on the council, and I would like the opportunity to work for the betterment of Christchurch.

I have owned land in the riding for two years and a half, and since completing a B.Ag.Sc. degree at Lincoln College I have been devoting all rhy time to the farming of 1500 acres all of which is in the West Melton area. I have been involved in the establishment of a private company which specialises in cattle breeding via the modern technique of ovatransplantation. My experience in local body government stems from my family background. My father is a long-serving member of the Christchurch City i Council. My qualifications for I council are therefore an interest in local body affairs, a large involvement in the I area of West Melton, and the (fact that I can obviously 'tackle the task with energy ’ and a young mind.

Six years as a councillor have given me useful back-: ground to the needs of the Pegasus ward. Parks, re-1 serves, and recreation affairs' will continue to have my I interest, and 1 hope to see some effective planning and development in this field. In particular 1 will press for the preservation and restoration of riverside reserves in the lower reaches of the Avon; and for the assessment and planning for the development of the 71-acre Horseshoe Lake reserve. I strongly favour the use of the Bottle Lake plantation at Burwood for recreational purposes — limited initially to riding, tramping and controlled picnic facilities. The concept of the council-controlled plantation as a forest park deserves the closest study. The success of the Collingwood House Senior Citizens Centre in New Brighton, with which 1 have been concerned, suggests that other areas could benefit from such centres. I believe that the City Council should encourage the provision of similar facilities in Aranui and Shirley.

As a master mariner with world-wide seafaring service, married, and New Zealand born, living in Christchurch, I offer only practical experience. As a maritime journalist, daily associated with Lyttelton’s development over the last 14 years I have no axe to grind, which may be unusual, except that the progressive board has at present only one member with actual maritime experience. Added “salt water” may do no harm. I have written extensively about Lyttelton’s progress from the time Cashin Quay reclamation was just a “sea of mud.” The greatest port impact has been the roll-on container revolution developed by the Union Company Ito a degree unbelievable. I This I support primarily, the ! roll-on concept of containerisation. as developed in the 'Australian trade by the i Scandinavians (i.e. P.A.D. ivessels), of which little, has been heard here. More is ; heard of the cellular container concept and crane but ■ they could be complementary, : I prefer the PAD. container I concept ,

Public transport has an expanding role in the future of Christchurch, especially in the inner city area. It has considerable environmental advantage over the private motor-car. including the reduced need for reading, reduced air pollution, congestion and accidents. The Labour Party majority on the Transport Board has done a fine job. In the last three i years it has held fares in order to build up patronage. I It has maintained a convenient, efficient service to the As a member of i the board I would hope to j continue this tradition of (service to the public. I would press for more co-ordination in city transport and for [higher financial subsidy from ithe Government. I would 'support the future establishment of park and ride, more [rapid transit services and I some free services on an experimental basis at first. I am 25. married with one child. As a secondary school teacher, I can appreciate the needs of the large number of students who use this service.