‘Growth the main issue

Press, 13 November 1981, Page 19

‘Growth the main issue

MR

R. L. G. TALBOT.

The National member of Parliament for Ashburton, Mr Rob Talbot, says the main issue facing Ashburton and New Zealand is growth. “The Ashburton electorate is involved in the most vital growth period in recent times,” says Mr Talbot. Ashburton and southern Canterbury are setting the scene for what is needed throughout New Zealand — a positive attitude of total community involvement to make full use of the Government’s growth strategies for the 1980 s, he says. “The build-up in confidence generated in the electorate, highlighted by the activities of the Ashburton Business Development Committee and Enterprise Board has justified all the fanfare of recent months,” he says. “Local government, trade union leaders, businessmen, primary producers, educators, and social workers have created a climate to encourage a new range of job opportunities.” A wide range of expanding and new market-oriented

projects are now in place, he says. Industries, large and small, based on farming, textiles and clothing, plastic extrusion, engineering in all its forms, ceramics, timber, food processing, tourism, and a diverse retail sector are all contributing to the new climate of confidence, Mr Talbot says. The electorate is fortunate to be part of the Southern Canterbury Regional Development area, he says. The enthusiasm generated by the council has given the region a record number of approvals for Government assistance during the last two years. Temuka could be cited as a prime example of regional growth and job opportunities, he says. It has been helped by the continuing expansion of N.Z. Insulators and Temuka Pottery, which now employ more than 400 people, the development of an ethanol industry, and a contract by MARU Industries for components for the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter, he says.

“Today’s growth projects are tomorrow’s jobs,” says Mr Talbot. Agriculture and horticulture will take top priority for the 1980 s with a total of 150,000 jobs, he says. Priority for investment will be given to the primary sector. “The market oriented, free market philosophy I have promoted in the many sectors of agriculture and horticulture is achieving dramatic advances,” says Mr Talbot. “This new approach is encouraging initiatives at all levels — from the individual farmer, processors, marketers, and exporters of our primary produce. “We must continue to work on the philosophy of less Government involvement in the production and market-

ing aspects of agriculture, a philosophy which is creating a more virile total industry.” Mr Talbot says that' a completely new deal has beep given to farming Ashburton and Canterbury generally in the last years. “Wheat and barley producers are taking full advantage of the new policies I have promoted,” he says, g “Full-scale commercial sugar beet trials now under way will ensure ' that the Ashburton area is the centre for the production of fuel ethanol for the Government’s liquid fuel programme." The development of irrigation is an integral part of the Government’s growth strategies for the Canterbury region, he says. The present dramatic growth in spray irrigation, together with the approval of new community schemes will be encouraged under appropriate policies to ensure the further development of dairying, horticulture, pastoral and arable farming. “The Ashburton electorate

must opt for a continuation of the exciting growth scene which has been created by the National Government,” he says. “I intend to encourage a continuation of this philosophy which will ensure that Ashburton remains at the forefront of development during the 1980 s.”