Grey Power to lobby for elderly

Press, 1 August 1989, Page 7

Grey Power to lobby for elderly

By

RICHARD CRESSWELL

The Christchurch branch of the National Superannuitants’ Federation was changing its name to Grey Power, but did not expect to be confused with Black Power, the president of the superannuitants’ group said last evening.

“I would not mind if we were. We have a lot in common,” the president, Mr Alan Ryan, said.

He said the name change followed changes in the United States where Grey Power had 20 million members nationally, and in Australia, which also had a national Grey Power group representing the interests of superannuitants.

He said the New Zealand National Superannuitants’ . Federation had about 20,000 members with 500 in Christ-

church. “Numbers have been steadily increasing because there are more and more issues which elderly people are finding increasingly distressing,” he said. These included Post Office closings, the reduction of police numbers, increases in telephone and television charges, and the changes in national superannuation. “There is no way anyone can plan for their future any more,” he said. - Mr Ryan said he ex'pected the national federation to follow the lead of the Christchurch branch in changing its name to Grey Power. “We would hope to double or treble our membership by next year’s election. Then we will have a voice they (the politicians) will have to listen to.”