‘Jobs not the only issue’

Press, 18 November 1981, Page 10

‘Jobs not the only issue’

Although unemployment is a big problem, it is not the issue it is made out to be, says the Social Credit candidate for Christchurch Central, Mr Peter Admore. Solving the problem of unemployment is a matter of Government policy alone, just as it has . been Government policy since about 1965 to increase the number of unemployed, he says. This highlights the two main issues facing New Zea-' land: the growth of centralised government and its control by a small number of people in the Cabinet; and the lack of a comprehensive education policy which incorporates social relationships and political education. “If these two issues are

corrected I believe that many of the other problems would look after themselves,” he says. New Zealand would be more unified, stronger, and healthier if people grew up knowing the rights and responsibilities inherent in a democracy. People need a clear understanding of human relationships in all areas of social development and a full knowledge of all flavours of political thought. While the electoral system remains as it is, with only 25 seats in the South Island and most of those held by Labour, no government will concern itself with the problems of the South, he says. “That, as I see it, is the one main factor behind all

our other problems, population drift and lack of industry included. We must move Labour out and we must get enough whack in Parliament to force electoral reforms. Proportional representation is a must for the South Island’s development. While we have only 25 votes opposed to 67 for the rest of New Zealand, we will not make any waves at all.” Mr Admore says both Labour and National candidats “toe the party line.” “I stand for a league of people united in a desire to bring democracy to the people of this country. I am prepared to listen to the people of the electorate first and the party second. I will act on whatever my elector-

ate wants first, my party second, and on what I want, never. I wish to give the people of Christchurch Central, for the first time in their history, a voice in Parliament which is really theirs.”

Mr Admore, who is married with a daughter, aged 14, from a previous marriage, says his previous political experience his been “nil,” though he finds the “sink or swim” situation challenging. Before being selected as a candidate, he was a branch president.

A cycle mechanic, he enjoys camping and ski-ing and has a wide range of interests.

MR

G. W. R. PALMER