NATIONAL PARTY DINNER

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 8, 26 July 1983, Page 7

NATIONAL PARTY DINNER

Speaking at the annual dinner of the RaetihiOhakune branch of the National Party recently, local MP and Labour Minister Jim Bolger reassured those present that the wage/price freeze was having the desired effect. "Inflation is currently running at 4% on an annual basis. It was essential that the rate be lowered and we've done that" he said. next February Mr ^Klger felt that the economy would be in really sound heart and that it would be quite appropriate to start lifting controls. "We will have modernised and reorganised the economy so I felt it was appropriate to do something about modernising the approach to trade unions in this country" he stated. "My attitude is that if any organisation wants members it should persuade people to join on the' merits of the organisation. I'm not convinced that New Zealand unions have benefitted by having mandatory membership."

Mr Bolger pointed out that there would be problems with the proposed change. "You can't change something that is so entrenched without causing a few ripples. The trade union movement has to get in touch with today's thinking and today's workers, not live in the past". Mr Bolger stated that he wanted private enterprise to take up the growth potential that existed throughout New Zealand. "Compared with unemployment figures worldwide we're doing well — but we can do better." "A huge plus in this region is the potential for tourism. It has particular value on three counts. Generally tourism is very labour intensive creating employment opportunities. Secondly, there is very little imported cost in creating tourist income and finally tourism is a big earner of overseas funds" he said. Second guest speaker of the dinner was Mr Rob Talbot, Minister of Tourism. This was Mr Talbot' s

first visit to the region as Minister of Tourism and he was particularly impressed about what he'd seen during his visit. "I'm not only impressed by the facilities that have been developed for tourism in this area but I'm particularly impressed by the enthusiasm of the various groups of farmers, businessman and tourist facility operators I've met." "It's important that everyone recognises the benefits that can accrue from increased holiday use of this region." "In particular I feel that farmers and manufacturers can benefit greatly by doing whatever they can to help tourism grow. Moral and financial support are both important to this fledgling industry" he stated. "In return it must be remembered that already over Vi million tourists eat more that 1,500 tonnes of meat and a similar amount of butter each year. It would not be hard to double that tourist inflow and therefore double the consumption of primary produce." "There is a strong case for the farming sector giv-

ing a level of commitment to the tourism industry — I mean this seriously because they have not taken it seriously in the past." "All things being equal, tourism will be the largest economic industry in the world by the 1990s, surpassing even the petroleum in-

dustry." "Tourism is the greatest private sector industry in New Zealand — it is not propped up with artificial subsidies, like SMPs, to distort trade, nor is it involved with intemational trade barriers."