National selects its Tasman candidate

Press, 4 May 1981, Page 2

National selects its Tasman candidate

A St Arnaud (Lake Rotoiti) motel and store owner, Mr E. L. (Ted) Krammer, is the National Party candidate for the Tasman seat in the forthcoming General Election. The seat is held by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Rowling).

Mr Krammer was chosen on the first ballot by the electorate selection commit-

tee in a three-way contest for the candidacy on Saturday. The other two candidates were Messrs David Kennedy, a bookseller and the Mayor of Motueka, and Connal Atkins, a primary school teacher, of Richmond.

In recent months Mr Krammer became widely known throughout New Zealand as a television viewer who was prepared to pay only half his licence fee because radio reception at the lake was poor, and the second television channel could not be received at all.

He was prosecuted and was discharged under Section 42 of the Criminal Justice Act when he said that he had since paid the full fee and a year in advance. He said later that his refusal was neither a political stunt nor a gimmick. Like many other rural dwellers he was fed up with having to pay for less than half a service. That would be one of the main planks of his platform if selected as candidate for Tasman, he said. Before moving to St Arnaud, Mr Krammer was secretary to the Nelson firm, M.S. Motors, and was for nine years - secretarytreasurer for the NelsonBays Rugby Union.

He is now senior vicepresident of the union. Mr Krammer was born at Motueka, the son of Mr L. J. (Jack) Krammer who was mayor of the town for nine years." His wife, Mary, was born at Motupiko. They have four children aged between 15 and 21 years. Mr' Krammer has been active in the affairs of the Anglican Church. He is a member of the standing committee of the Nelson Diocese and Trust Board, and a member of the New Zealand Synod.