Competition provided

Press, 19 November 1981, Page 24

Competition provided

MR J. D. GRIBBEN

If competition is one key word to get New Zealand going again, political competition is what Social Credit is providing in Selwyn and throughout New Zealand, says Mr Jim Gribben, the Social Credit candidate for Selwyn. “The Green Peril is on the march. In 1978, Social Credit had only 18 members in Selwyn. In 1981, it has nine sub-branches and more than 300 members,” he says. The reasons for the growth in Social Credit support are “all around”—roads breaking up, no money, unemployment, high taxation, high costs to the farmer and businessman, all coupled with a banana republic-type

dollar, Mr Gribben says. Social Credit will restore confidence by channelling investment funds into small business and farming, so they ‘can get development money and provide jobs. “We stand for full employment and we have the financial policies to make our ideas work,” he says.

Some investment money for development will come from savings banks, where money deposited by individuals will be inflation proofed with tax free interest. Money invested by indivduals in production will be tax free. All other sectors will attract tax, he says. In Selwyn, irrigation of the central plains is a first priority. Better reading and communications are necessities. Water and sewerage schemes are urgently needed in Dunsandel, Southbridge, Lincoln, and other country townships. “Money for these will be practically interest free. Our rules for irrigation, water and sewerage schemes are simple. Is there a need? Can we find . the materials and machines required? Are the workers available? If these points can be satisfied, we can safely find and advance the money,” he says. In the energy field, Mr

Gribben advocates growing crops for the production of ethanol in a three-way cooperative endeavour with New Zealand industry, farmers and workers. “Oil

wells dry up, but crop growing goes on and on,” he says. Mr Gribben is Postmaster at Lyttelton, having transferred to Christchurch from Golden Bay 20 years ago to educate his family of three sons and three daughters. He does not live in the electorate, but has worked in Hororata and is well known in the electorate, where he is contesting his second election. A signalman overseas during World War 11, Mr Gribben is now Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages and in his banking capacity gives advice on personal and housing loans. He says he has a lot of experience in many fields which will be available to the electors of Selwyn. “I am standing because I have a grown-up family and have the time to give New Zealand and New Zealanders a go with Social Credit,” he says.