MR D.W. PARLANE 'More tourism for South’

Press, 6 November 1978, Page 24

MR D.W. PARLANE 'More tourism for South’

Party divisions are hindering the development of the South Island, according to Mr D. W. Parlane, Social Credit candidate for the Fendalton electorate Although he is on the Social Credit Political League’s ticket and accepts its monetary policy, he considers himself a “South Island candidate,” free to take his own line on most issues. Mr Parlane, aged 45. has six grown-up children from two marriages. He has made a successful living as a landscape painter for about eight years, selling many of his paintings to overseas buyers. He believes the South Island is not getting the

potential spin-off from tourism. “We need to

encourage as much tourism as possible. At the

moment flights to Christ = church are cancelled because there are , not enough beds.” he says. He believes the South Island members of Parliament should get together to promote the South. “The member for Fendalton could do a lot more for the South Island,” he says. He wants to see the South Island put on a basis where it can compete equally with the North without handouts. Freight rates are a big obstacle to South Island trade. He says that the South would have to pay 20 per cent more on goods to have the same range of articles that the North" enjoys. ”We want the right to

trade equally with the North. After all, the price of petrol is equal throughout the country, so why with the league since the late 19505, as Canterbury regional organiser and public relations officer. This is the first time he

has contested a Genera Election, but he stood fot

the Riccarton Borough Council in 1974. He say s he. became disillusioned after obtaining about 92 per cent of the vote and failing to gain a seat. Understandably, he strongly favours proportional representation, Mr Parlane was an organiser for the Manapouri petition in Christchurch and he regards himself as an environmentailst. But he believes the environmental issue has been taken too far. On the West Coast, for instance, logging is the "life-blood” of the community. "I’m not for cut* ting down all forests, but the industry must go cm,” he says.