MR M. J. BRUCE Standing in ‘a unique electorate’

Press, 16 November 1981, Page 29

MR M. J. BRUCE Standing in ‘a unique electorate’

Social Credit’s candidate for Lyttelton, Mr Michael Bruce, is 22. A motor mechanic, his interest in politics started at school, where he felt the system was “only educating him for work.” After looking at the four main political parties, he became increasingly committed to Social Credit policies.

Mr Bruce canvassed for Social Credit in the Christchurch Central by-elec-tion and then set up a Social Credit Youth Group in the Canterbury region. He was nominated as the Lyttelton candidate in early 1980, the selection being uncontested. The main issues facing New Zealand are unemploy-

irient, high interest rates, and the Government’s “fast track” policies, he says. Lyttelton is a unique electorate and is the main gateway to Christchurch and the South Island. Problems within the electorate include erosion, the lack of transport for bicyles through the Lyttelton tunnel, a lack of street lights on Hunters Road in Diamond Harbour, the need for an ambulance service at Diamond Harbour, and the need for a secondary school in Sumner.

A vital issue is the urgent need for a ferry service out of Lyttelton and to the North Island,

“It is on this point that I differ from the official

league policy,” says Mr Bruce. “The league will put a ferry in service, again from Lyttelton to Wellington on a trial basis. Personally, I feel that a ferry should go to a more northern area such as Tauranga or Auckland.” Two-thirds of New Zealand’s population is in Auckland, along with a vast amount of small industry, Mr Bruce says. It would be a

doubling' up of services to send goods by both rail and ferry to the same destination. Research would have to be done to find the best alternative.

Probably the most important issue for Lyttelton is the proposed liquified petroleum gas installation, he says. “I totally oppose the concept of the installation, not only in Lyttelton but in the whole of New Zealand, on the grounds of safety and also of its supply. Maui and Kapuni can only supply this energy for about six years, which leaves us either a vast lot of unusable pipelines or relying on overseas markets to supply us with our fuel once more,” says Mr Bruce. He says he offers Lyttelton a new look, a younger ap-

proach, and the will and drive to get things done. With few commitments, he would be able to devote a lot of time to the electorate.