South Island petition ‘goes like a bomb’

Press, 23 April 1980, Page 2

South Island petition ‘goes like a bomb’

The South Island Movement’s petition for a referendum on South Island government “went like a bomb” yesterday, collecting more i than 1000 signatures in. its first day. People also took away 20 petition forms, each of which-has room for 26 sig- ; natures. There was a steady stream ; of people wanting to sign the petition in Cathedral < Square, said the chairman of I the movement’s Christchurch ] branch (Mr S. M. Andrews). , Signatories had come from a 1

“wide political spectrum,” including members of the National and Labour parties. “We have got a delicious anarchy here,”- Mr Andrews said. However, the movement would not be drawn into a party political stance,; he said;- Its greatest strength was its independence from any overt political action. Mr Andrews is a consulting engineer with what he described as “a modest political background.” He was formerly an active member of the National Party.

The petition calls for a referendum, in which South Island voters would be given the chance to vote for either the continuation of the present political system, or for a federal system in which the North and South Islands -would have equal representation in a Federal government, and separate island governments. “I think the issue is just as important as the liquor issue which we vote on every three years,” Mr Andrews said.