PUBLIC INTEREST IN POLITICS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28888, 7 May 1959, Page 7

PUBLIC INTEREST IN POLITICS

Mr Algie Speaks Of Revival

There was an awakening of public interest in politics and a revival of interest in the cause of the National Party, the member of Parliament for Remuera (Mr R. M. Algie) said last night. He was speaking to an audience of about 60 at the National Party Centre.

He said that members of the National Party team had been speaking at meetings up and down the country. ‘‘All those doing the work have reported to Mr Holyoake a great revival of interest in our cause.”

Mr Algie said that the party had a leader with whom it was quite satisfied and whom it was prepared to follow. “There are no circles or conspiracies for leadership in our party. “If there was any undercurrent in our team I would not say there was not. If there was an undercurrent I would keep quiet about it,” he said. “We have got a very good team—a mixture of young, middle-aged and older men. In our team we watch the juniors who will come forward when next we have to form a Cabinet.”

Mr Algie said the party’s approach to Parliament was better now. “When we become the Government in 1960 you will find we have a fine team that deserves your support.” Dealing with the capitalisation of family benefit, Mr Algie told a questioner that the scheme was “not operating as it had been promised at election time.” There were many priorities in the scheme now and many people might apply to find “they will not be getting it.” To a question on the taxing of overtime pay, Mr Algie said that ordinary pay and overtime were both income and should be taxed, but not at a rate so heavy that people would not want to do qvertime.