MR S. H. N. STAMERS-SMITH. ‘Growth policy main issue'

Press, 16 November 1981, Page 29

MR S. H. N. STAMERS-SMITH. ‘Growth policy main issue'

■ Acceptance or rion-accept- ; ance of growth policy is the ; main issue facing the LyttelI ton electorate, says Mr ■ Simon Stamers-Smith, the . National Party candidate. ! “Our present economic i base cannot sustain our I standard of living and must i grow. Coupled with growth, i National plans to lessen our : dependence on the oil export- [. ers. Their price increases j have given rise to unemployi ment as resources have shifted from the employment sector to pay for oil," he says. Christchurch engineering factories have already seen i the benefits of the growth ! strategy. They are filling : orders from the third potline

at Tiwai Point and the ammonia urea plant. As other projects come on stream and increase demand for services, more work will be created, he says. Christchurch’s next most immediate problem is smog. Mr Stamers-Smith aims to express the city’s needs and to ensure that Christchurch is strongly represented in Wellington.

Lyttelton has two main issues at present, he says. The liquefied petroleum pipeline is a new concept in New Zealand and people are naturally mistrustful. “It will not endanger the lives of Lyttelton people. Statistically one Lytteltonian is killed every 2% years on the roads, while it is estimated that one will be killed in every 16,000 in a gas accident. L.P.G. is desperately needed in Christchurch. With the closing of the gas works it is becoming vital. It will benefit everyone, including Lytteltonians.” Mr Stamers-Smith says the Wellington-Lyttelton ferry is an emotive issue. “It was a huge drain on

the taxpayer and no-one has shown that it won’t be again if it is introduced. Politically it is expedient to urge its reintroduction. I will support its reintroduction only when I am shown the real need for it.” Mr Stamers-Smith, aged 39, is a practising lawyer. After graduation from Otago University and working in Dunedin he returned to Christchurch in 1970. He was a member of the New Zealand Universities ski-ing team and still skis and promotes the sport. He is vicepresident of the Canterbury Society of Arts. Mr Stamers-Smith is married to a trained social worker, and has three chil-

dren. He says he has a wealth of experience and practical knowledge of how to help people.