Socred produces ‘S.I. package’

Press, 17 November 1978, Page 4

Socred produces ‘S.I. package’

Social Credit would push for the extension of differential freight rate subsidies for South Island firms marketing outside their region, said the Social Credit leader (Mr B. C. Beetham) in Christchurch last evening. The pledge was part of a “South, Island package” Mr Beetham put to an audience of about 600 at the Christchurch Town Hail. He said that the differential was part of an allembracing, industry-based, one-way freight subsidy scheme which would be introduced by a Social Credit government, and which would place South Island producers on an equal footing with those in the North Island.

“Social Credit recognises the immediate need for the equalising of access to the North Island markets, and a squaring-up of South Island production costs with the freight-rate and fuel-cost advantages enjoyed by North Islanders,” he said. “The differential would ensure that the price of products from any region in the South Island would be competitive with industry further north. “Social Credit also believes it is essential for the wellbeing and progress of the South Island that the Wellington-Lyttelton ferry service be restored to its former strength. We do not see this just as a matter of economics, but as a matter of national unity,” he said. “In addition, the improvement of the PictonChristchurch rail link to a main trunk line would be

given'priority,” Mr Beetham said.

Social Credit supported the concept of South Island access to Maui gas, either by pipeline or containerised tanker, and was in favour of a lower bulk tariff for electricity users in the South Island, he said. “Under Social Credit, cheap development finance would be made available to realise the full potential of South Island resources. Trustee savings banks would provide one of the main avenues for development finance and a system of ‘local financial democracy’ would reduce the high level of Government stock purchases now required of trustee banks,” Mr Beetham said.

“More funds would be diverted to local and regional development by means of two differentials — one of the South Island, which would reduce the percentage of Government stock purchases, and another one allocating an even greater share of funds for areas within the South Island regarded as underdeveloped. “The local people will have to decide where and when this money is spent. The trustees of savings banks will, under Social Credit, be elected by the depositors at each bank instead of being appointed by the Government,” he said. Mr Beetham said that a complete overhaul of New Zealand’s transport system was needed urgently, and that the railways and shipping, which were- efficient energy users, would be given priority.

“Under Social Credit there will be no more closings of

railway branch lines or curtailment of services. Railways will be developed, with the emphasis on electricity.” Mr Beetham said that Social Credit supported equal recognition of Auckland and Christchurch in the apportioning of international ir traffic to New Zealand, and! said that the application fori landing rights by Continental! Airlines should be consid-i ered in this light. On law and order, Mr Beetham said that the police should be “beefed up” in numbers and facilities. A Social Credit Government would ensure this.

“There should be a greater emphasis on restitution to the injured innocent party in offences against persons and property, rather than an imprisonment and fines,” he said.

“In many cases, imprisonment serves only to steep an offender more deeply in criminality, and fines are proving a rather ineffective way of controlling the decline of law and order. This is evidenced by last year’s total of S4M in unpaid fines in New Zealand,” he said. Mr Beetham said that the worst criminal in New Zealand was the drunken driver, “who kills and maims with near impunity under the protection of the accidentcompensation laws.” “A Social Credit Government would deprive the drunken driver of the protection of the Accident Compensation Act, and make him pay. The savings accrued to the commission from this action would go to those who suffer from debilitating illness,” he said.