The electorates National has high hopes for win in strong Labour seat

Press, 9 November 1978, Page 11

The electorates National has high hopes for win in strong Labour seat

By

D. W. HODGE

On the surface, th; Na= . tional Party is chasing a will-o’-the-wisp in the Timaru electorate, but the National Party candidate (Mr Stanley Penno) is convinced that his party will win the seat. Labour has had a stranglehold on the seat for 50 years, the longest period a provincial city has supported one party. In the July, 1962, by-elec-tion Sir Basil Arthur won the seat with a majority of 1307. Sir Basil improved his majority to 2762 at the 1963 General Election, and in 1966 recorded a best of 3108. His majority was_cut to 1011 in 1975 — fractionally above marginal status. The Labour movement in Timaru is, however, in good heart. Among areas of concern to the Timaru Labour Electorate Committee are price increases on consumer goods and services; lack of finance for development, housing and local government; unemployment and its social con-> sequences; exorbitant taxes on overtime: and interest rates, which preclude the young, would-be home owner from purchasing a home — in spite of the Government’s plan to ease credit restrictions on financial institutions. The National Party's main thrust in Timaru is directed at the lack of representation and the breakdown of New Zealand society and its way of life. Mr Penno cites loss of self-discipline, lack of respect for authority, unwillingness to do an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay, and the decline of moral values as significant issues. Timaru’s revised transportation plan has been strongly criticised, but the candidates are wary of “taking sides.” Political parties in the Timaru and Waitaki electorates are planning an active campaign of public meetings, demonstrations, and advertising. Values Party candidates will address groups and organisations of any size. The party, represented in the Timaru electorate at the last election by Miss Mary Mold (the party’s candidate for the new Ashburton electorate) and by Mrs G. Morgan in the then Oamaru electorate, believes that its extra support will come from the rural and smalltown areas, where people were realising that the abuse of New Zealand’s chief resource — the land — had to stop. The party is hamstrung by a lack of funds to finance even a modest advertising campaign. The Values Party has strong views about the treatment of sewage; it feels that it is not being properly handled because of financial considerations, and a short-sighted approach. The candidates have to wage an unconventional •‘low-key” campaign, using exhibitions and information booths in rural communities.

Agitation exists in Timaru for improved air services, and opposition to the proposed amalgamation of the Central Canterbury and Ashburton Electric Power Boards, because of interference with

the ■ proposals of the previous Local Government Commission for a central South Island region, of which Ashburton would be part. The Labour Party in Timaru celebrated 50 years of continuous representation on October 7.

‘‘lt is unique, a record of which we are proud,” said Sir Basil Arthur. Timaru’s future is tied up with the need to expand job opportunities through regional development.

Labour’s regional development policy, begun successfully during the term of the third Labour Government, would be re-

vised. and would assure the South island of a fair share of New Zealand resources, and would work towards balanced devei-

opment in both islands as a desirable economic and social objective, said Sir Basil Arthur.

The closing and cutting back of so many industries in the South Island meant that unemployment in proportion to population was higher in the South Island than the North Island, he said.

This brought allied social problems, and intensified the deep resentment felt by South Islanders.

Services from the main South Island centres to the North Island had been severely reduced with the loss of the Ransatira. The Coastal Ranger service had been taken off, and the regular Coastal Trader “This from a Government that talked about transport co-ordination

«nd efficiency, and a firm commitment to reviving and resuscitating coastal shipping.” Sir Basil Arthur said. “This demonstrates the wide gap between promises in 1975 and performance by 1978.” he said. Sir Basil Arthur said that, large trawlers were required to exploit the large quantities of deepwater fish for which there was strong demand in some parts of the world. These varieties, mainly pelagic fish, were an untapped resource, and

ma'ar Government participation and encouragement was essential to develop these industries. Environmentalists, however, are worried about the pollution of coastal waters by industrial wastes. They seek an investigation of the effect of the city’s industrial wastes and sewage on the ecology, and on recreation.

Social Credit has all the stops out. At least 10 voluntary part-time canvassers are. working for the party, and the mobile information booth has become a familiar site in the electorate. The candidates are: Sir Basil Arthur (Labour); Mr W. S. Penno (National), Mr E. H. Rapsey (Social Credit), and Mr Laurie Durand (Values).

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