LOCAL ELECTIONS Candidates’ messages

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33655, 3 October 1974, Page 15

LOCAL ELECTIONS Candidates ’ messages

As a resident of the riding, I am well aware of the problems confronting the metropolitan area, the whole of North Canterbury, and of Waimairi County in particular, I believe I have an unequalled record as a conservationist, my efforts having been directed towards the well-being and rights of the man in the street. My making out city a better place in which to live, to modern methods of rubbsh disposal, to protecting and improving our airport, and tc providing and utilising out community facilities to the full. I have always taken ms full share in community activities, including many years of service as an eldei and a lay preacher of the Presbyterian Church at bott national and local levels.

After long local body service I have retired from the City Council, but seek to continue to represent the people of Waimairi-Riccarton on the board as an independent, as I have done in the past except for the last three years when the Citizens’ Association, uninvited, endorsed me. I stand by my record as a businessman, board member and former chairman; and will continue to see that Lyttelton is promoted so that it gains its rightful place as. the South Island’s number, one port with container and bulk-handling facilities. It is ridiculous, after all the planning, work and expenditure that have gone into improving the port and providing the road tunnel to serve it. that it should be otherwise.

Although I have been a member of the New Zealand Labour Party since 1964, I do not believe in party politics

in local government. After)’ 34 years in public service in h England. I came with my|< wife, son and daughter to ; Auckland in 1964. After four i years in the treasury depart- < ment of the Manukau City Council I resigned to stand for the 1968 election and won a seat. During my term as a Manukau councillor I was purchasing officer in a carpet manufacturing firm. My son married a Christchurch girl and we moved to Corsair ißay. I then had casual employment as a tally clerk in Lyttelton, an experience which gave me an appreciation of the kindliness and : versatility of the people of . Lyttelton. After world-wide travel and years of public ' service we have found a 1 nostalgic beauty and serenity ’ in Lyttelton.

I am sure that if Lyttelton ( □nee again had a Labour mayor and council it could look forward to greater progress. Having completed 12 years on the council and served on all its major committees, I feel that 1 have the experience and background to be aware of Lyttelton’s needs. When elected I would press for an early start to the port’s much-needed medical centre. This must surely take priority on any council’s agenda. This along with more pensioner housing, a new and modem community centre, planned housing development, and a strong resistence to any forced amalgamation would occupy my thoughts and energies. I am proud of Lyttelton. People must be encouraged to come to Lyttelton and make their homes here. A sound progressive council can achieve this and I would welcome the opportunity to assist. The completion of the borough’s swimming pool shows that we have a strong healthy community spirit, and this must he encouraged.

I am willing to serve for a third time on the Drainage Board and a second time on the council. As chairman of the council’s health and general committee, I have made submissions to ensure that the standards of Christchurch’s water are the highest possible and remain so. Also, as chairman of a group of the Catchment Board, Drainage Board and the City Council, set up recently to

view the over-all management of the estuary, I will ensure that we receive suggestions from all groups and individuals to improving the estuary and its environs. A survey of the Hoon HayWest Watson area is being prepared. The survey of Aranui “has resulted in a Senior Citizens’ Club. This was one of the needs shown by a survey, and on my initiative the Aged Peoples’ Welfare Council was asked to commence the club. Preschool education groups have ! my support for kindergartens • and/or play centres in any I. area.

While running a land development business during the last 10 years, I have become well acquainted with the practical problems encounted in servicing urban and rural areas in many parts of the country. The board’s district has recently been extended in Paparua and major works are planned for the area. There must be full cooperation between the board and the county council to see that future urban expansion proceeds in harmony with the 1 board’s capacity to provide drainage facilities and in line with expansion in other parts of the board’s district. J would support the treatment works modifications, which : will also allow additional 1 capacity in some areas ol ( Paparua and promote the con- . tinued maintenance of storm drainage systems anc ! additions where necessary. I shall keep in close liaison ■ with the council and work tc J see that Paparua’s needs are ’ well represented and woulc ’ be willing to look into the • problems of local residents.

Promises are cheap at election time. As in the past, I confine myself to pledges which experience allows me to ensure will be met. I accept no sponsorship or c.irectici from interests outside our district. Strong personal representation on all matters of individual or community interest will be my first priority. The extensive works programme of recent years will be continued. Work on Hills Road is the first stage of a continuing programme of improvement. Major improvements will continue on Mairehau, Marshland and Lake Terrace roads. Work on

Travis and Grimseys roads is also of major importance to the riding. Strong representation has been made to other public bodies with responsibilities in our district, the Drainage Board over flooding, the Transport Board over bus services, and the Ministry of Transport over road safety and traffic control.

Because the prime function of the board is the medical care of sick, people, doctors who are actively involved in the patient care should be represented on the board. Their knowledge and experience would assist the board in formulating a sound policy for present and future patient care in the area and they would see that the best possible standard of medical care was provided for the money available. As the board decides policy, it should include representatives of the ' medical profession and representatives of the business : world, as well as representa--1 tives interested in people’s ' welfare. The daily running l of the board’s institutions ! should be left to the senior ‘ executive officers. If elected, ' I would take a personal ’ interest in seeing that the. 1 spinal injuries unit is built [ and functioning as soon as ’ possible.

Having lived all my life ' in the ward, I have a 1 thorough knowledge of the needs and interests of residents. Four main airhs from my policy are: 1. Commission a rubbish disposal pulveriser, if possible on a metropolitan basis. 2. Create a public inquiry department within the council to foster better public relations. 3. Press for amalgamation of local authorities and the formation of a regional authority of works. 4. Proceed with plans for a skating rink in the St Albans area. As a sitting member, I have gained a considerable amount of knowledge of the board’s problems. Over the last three years I have been successful, along with my colleagues, in bringing down the final report on the Dudley diversion and can assure residents of the low St Albans basin area that, subject to available loan finance, we will call tenders for this urgent, overdue work within our next term.

I have lived in Linwood for the past three years and have always been interested in people. My special interestin the city would be the formation of community centres and the improvement in the council’s relations with the citizens through these centres. I envisage them to be more than just hobby, cultural and activity centres, and to include social facilities such as medical and welfare services, legal aid offices and coffee bars. This would encourage a re-appraisal of facilities for both young and old. I have been actively concerned with the rivers and estuary of Christchurch and find the disposal of effluent into these waters a disgrace. The smell which spreads over Christchurch from the sea lettuce bloom can be overcome by either a sea outfall or, preferably, the disposal of effluent on to the land, although the latter would ; possibly be more appropriate for the'Belfast extensions.

I am disturbed that a traffic problem is recognised, yet parking buildings in the city centre still receive the rubber stamp of approval. The master transport plan needs complete revision, with the emphasis on an efficient urban public transport system. I would like to see a reappraisal of the zoning system for future development of the city. Any proposal should be subject to approval on merit, with consideration to the location and its relation to environmental features. Few would disagree that the business section of a city reflects that city, but a recent survey on shopping patterns confirmed that most transactions take place between noon and 2 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. This : indicates that retail outlets are only servicing those who work in the immediate , vicinity. We have to rethink ' our priorities, among other 1 things restrict traffic in the ; city, recognise pedestrian ■ rights, and make public transport more attractive.

The major political parties, are too intent on following the party line and seem to be controlled by the big business pressure groups. Their main interest appears to be gaining and maintaining power, rather than concern I for those they are elected to represent. The Values Party

is the only organisation in this country with an honest and desperate desire to investigate novel solutions to the problems occurring with an uncontrollable momentum. We must stop the faceless bureaucracy controlling our lives by the rule books. We must listen to what the underprivileged are trying to say. We must solve the problems of housing, traffic, pollution. lost identity, etc., now. even if it means treadiug on the big businessmen’s toes or rocking the establish-: : ment boat. We do not seek I power for its own sake. If 1 I other politicians had solved ’today’s problems, the Values ! Party would have no need to* i exist. NOT CHAIRMAN . Mr M. P. Hobby, a (candidate for the Wairarapa. I riding of the Waimairi I (County Council, was in-1 (correctly described in his I (message to the electors as) (chairman of the Christchurch ( | Metropolitian Fire Board. In I J fact, Mr Hobby is deputy-) I chairman of the board.