Labour policy ‘against first-home buyers’

Press, 19 November 1981, Page 10

Labour policy ‘against first-home buyers’

New Zealand was one of the best-housed nations in the world, the Minister of Housing and member of. Parliament for Rangiora (Mr Quigley) told 200 people at a meeting in Rangiora. There were more than one million homes in New Zealand for a population of

slightly more than three million people. “With more than 70 per cent of these houses being owner-occupied, New Zealanders are able to judge for themselves what type of accommodation suits them best," said Mr Quigley. Past housing policies had forced young couples to live in little boxes in suburbs with no schools, shops, or bus services. National had changed that and had given families the right to decide for themselves whether to buy a new or an existing home. Not surprisingly, more and more people were choosing existing homes because they were at least $12,000 to $15,000 cheaper. “However, the Labour Party does not like this policy,” he said. “They say we have a housing crisis and therefore need more little boxes.” Labour’s policy would not please first-home buyers because they could not afford a new home plus a section, or the New Zealand taxpayers, who would have to find at least an extra $350 million a year to pay for Labour’s housing promises. Mr Quigley said that during the last five years more than 100,000 houses had been built, while the population had increased by only 38,000. State housing waiting lists had dropped significantly and 24,000 New Zealand families had been able to buy their first homes last year. National’s growth strategy had meant a lot to the electorate, he said. There had been a significant increase in building in the Rangiora borough. Four irrigation schemes were being worked on and one was completed. There were new and improved school facilities in the electorate, better transport facilities, and there had been a population increase in every county and borough in the electorate, according to the latest census. The South Island had had a population decline but it was not happening in the Rangiora electorate, which demonstrated the confidence people had in this part of New Zealand. Mr Quigley said that judging by the number of things

happening it was obvious that New Zealand was well and truly on the move again. There had been a growth in energy and energy-intensive projects, in industries, such as Hamilton jet boats, and in agriculture. The number of sheep in New Zealand had increased from 55 million in 1975 to 71 million this year, a dramatic increase in a relatively short time. Horticulture had shown a significant increase and had raised $l9l million in export earnings in 1980. It was estimated that by 1990 that this sector could earn $7OO million in overseas earnings. There was “phenomenal” diversification throughout New Zealand and this was creating new businesses and industries which in turn created extra jobs, while others were expanding creating extra jobs for the growing labour force. Extra wages and employment created waves throughout the economy. Mr Quigley said that New Zealand was still dependent on a very narrow base, with its traditional dairy products providing one-quarter of the total overseas funds. “We have got to have initiatives and new job opportunities,” he said. “In the past few years we have simply not created enough for the growing labour force and we therefore must engage in a more intensive programme of developing national resources.” Forestry and tourism were examples of good potential earners which, when expanded to their, full potential, would create employment and earn valuable overseas funds. The growth of manufacturing and energy programmes would also stimulate employment. . The National Government had done the best it could with the resources, available. He accepted that there were problems still to be. overcome. . The election was about confidence and risk taking, standing still or going forward, and abbut tomorrow. ... The clear issues were not leadership, but policy, and this had been'deliberate, said Mr Quigley.