Unemployment a big Coast issue

Press, 17 November 1981, Page 32

Unemployment a big Coast issue

The main issues facing New Zealanders are unemployment, the need for tax reform, the state of the economy. and the housing crisis, according to the Labour candidate for West Coast and its sitting member of Parliament for the last three years. Mr Kerry Burke. “These issues also concern West Coasters together with some specifically regional problems such as population decline, the development and transport of West Coast resources and the conflicts between conservation and other land uses." he says.

Mr Burke, who was member of Parliament for Rangiora from 1972 to 1975. and a former high school teacher at Rangiora and Greymouth, says that the decline in fulltime employment of 28.000 jobs since early 1980 and the 12-fold jncrease in unemployment since National came to power make .this the main issue for New Zealanders.

"It is the most visible evidence of the present Government's failure in comparison with other countrieswhich have had to deal with the oil crisis.

"There is a desperate need for the comprehensive employment and training policy which Labour has produced," says Mr Burke. The number of jobs on the West Coast grew by 600 under the last Labour Government and have fallen by 500 under National. . For those in work the tax burden has become "im-

rnense." Reform is long overdue because wage and salary earners need a lighter tax load if purchasing power is to be restored. Mr Burke says that the housing industry is in a state of crisis. Few houses are being built and prices are “skj’-rocketing."

“The decline in building has affected the West Coast, particularly the cement trade: a bulk cement carrier has been tied up for most of the last five years." he says. West Coast issues are clear-cut. The region is rich in resources, such as coal and minerals, land, forests, the- sea. and the scenery.

"Industry and employment can and must be'developed on all of these resources. I believe that this can be done and my party's policies provide for it. It means the rebirth of coal mining, farm development, large-scale exotic forest, planting, and the expansion of the fishing and

tourism as well as the revitalised cement industry." Mr Burke sees the question of transport as perhaps the greatest issue. The revival of

coal raises the possibility of port development. “This must be decided in a way which ensures that the resources and potential of the whole region are taken into account and which also ensures that the vital Midland rail link is retained. I believe that this can be done."

On a personal level. Mr Burke believes that he has shown in his three years as member for West Coast that he is an effective spokesman for the region and looks after the concerns of individuals.

He keeps the electorate informed of activities in Parliament and will continue to do so. The skills developed by experience should benefit the Coast more in the years ahead, he says.

Mr Burke, aged 39. is married, with two sons, aged 10 and eight.