MRS M. G. CLUCAS ‘Potential for small industries’

Press, 9 November 1978, Page 10

MRS M. G. CLUCAS ‘Potential for small industries’

Christchurch offers a lot of potential to small industries wanting to break into the North Island markets, according to the National candidate for Christchurch Central, Mrs M. G. Clucas. Light electrical goods, for instance, could be made in Christchurch and air-freighted to the North island and sold in Auck-

land at the same price as if they had been made in Auckland, she says. Encouraging small industries like this could solve Christchurch’s unemployment problem by holding job opportunities:

moving to Auckland is too expensive for many businesses to contemplate, anyway, says Mrs Clucas. Mrs Clucas, aged 40, a part-time remedial reading teacher, is married to a Hororata farm manager.

She joined the National Party as a member of the Rakaia electorate in 1970 and was secretary of the Hororata branch in 1975. She became chairman of the Malvern Women's Group in 1975, and is now deputy chairman of the Canterbury-Westland Women’s Organisation. The National Government has achieved a lot

for women, says Mrs Clucas. Legislation has been introduced covering human rights, the courts, equal pay, and marriage, which has improved the position of women. “These are forward

positive steps made in the last three years.” These achievements, and the promise of further legislation in family courts, and extensions of the nonmolestation orders, will help to attract womens votes,” says Mrs Clucas. Christchurch Central has many derelict houses which are ideal candidates for the National Party’s policy on urban renewal, says ’Mrs Clucas. Under this policy, the central city area could be renewed, taking advantage of its residential districts’ closeness to businesses and offices.

Much erf Mrs Clucas’s campaign will be aimed at the 6000 voters who did not exercise their franchise in 1975 — almost a quarter of the electorate.

Mrs Clucas believes it is important that she be available to the electorate and, if elected, would have an office in the centre of town. The contact between member of Parliament and the electorate would be of even greater benefit to Christchurch if she is elected, she says, as this would ensure that Christchurch would be represented by the Government.