Socred leader back

Press, 8 May 1980, Page 6

Socred leader back

Wellington reporter

New . Zealand's currentaccount deficit of $482 million would be regarded as a prelude to- economic and social disaster in British Columbia, said Mr B. C. 1 Beetham, the leader of the; Social Credit Political: League. in Wellington! yesterday. I Mr Beetham, who is also! the member of Parliament! for Rangitikei, has just returned from a two-week study of the Social Credit Government of British Columbia. He "said he had found ’Social Credit policies working in practice and no need for any big doctrinal adjustments.

Under the Social- Credit Government inflation was lower than in any other Canadian province, unemployment was below the Canadian average, and economic 'growth was higher. The Social Credit party in New Zealand was “on (course,” with only minor tuning of administration required. Asked if comparisons between British Columbia and New Zealand were valid, Mr Beetham said the resources, topography, and population were similar. British Columbia did not face high transport costs for oil but paid high prices, to Alberta oil companies. The Social Credit Govern-;

!ment had inherited a deficit; of 5261 million when it hadj been returned to office in; 1975. The deficit had been, produced by the New Democrat Party after a surplus in ,1972. The electorate had be-, icome so used to Social 'Credit’s break-even policies; ithat the deficit had unnerved; lit and Social Credit had |been returned to power, with; ;a 10-seat majority. j j The party had been un-i seated in 1975 because it! had been “tired” and be-; cause of political arrogance, by some members and some administrative blunders, not;;

'because of economic failure. l|The Social Credit Govern--I'ment had been in power i from 1952 with the ex•'ception of the 1972-1975 . period. Mr Beetham said that Social Credit changes in iXew Zealand as a result of iliis trip would be in canvassing methods, the possible creation of a women’s (auxiliary. and a strong public relations effort to show (that Social Credit policies (not only balanced budgets in ,a modern Western economy but created economic i growth.