‘Win On Merit Necessary’

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31120, 25 July 1966, Page 8

‘Win On Merit Necessary’

(New Zeolond Preu XMoeiation) WELLINGTON, July 24. The National Party was told that it had no divine right to enjoy power indefinitely by Mr J. S. Meadowcroft, the retiring president, when he. addressed the thirtieth annual Dominion conference of the National Party.

“Each term must be fought the hard way and won on the merits of our claim to continue to be the Government,” he said.

The political climate for the party’s re-election to Government this year appears to have become even more propitious than seemed likely when the Labour Opposition once again decided to try another leader, he said. In 1963 there had been a slackness which reflected the absence of issues and the complacency of an electorate in which everyone expected the National Government to return to office, said Mr Meadowcroft. No Delusion

This year, however, members of the party dared not delude themselves into taking success for granted. They must win the support of many thousands of electors who were not party enthusiasts, he said. Mr Meadowcroft said that New Zealand’s present record of prosperity and its strong political leadership would be key factors in determining the outcome of this year’s General Elections.

He suggested that “never in the history of our country have.people been so universally prosperous or contented with their lot.”

On the score of leadership, Mr Meadowcroft said he had no doubts whatever that most people looked on the present Prime Minister as head and shoulders above any other potential leader. “The disarray of the Parliamentary Opposition—together with the continuing high prosperity of the Domin-ion—-gives grounds for the same confidence I was able to express three years ago,” he said.

But he warned: “Nonetheless, we are not assuming an easy victory and the complacency which was our concern

in 1963 is replaced wilh the realism that the fight for a third term must be a tougher proposition.”

Basis For Victory

Mr Meadowcroft said that the National Party must remind itself that however satisfactory and satisfying the present political situation appeared to the party, elections were not won on a good government record alone —nor on the general image of the party. “They are also fought on the basis of prospects—the ability of the party to convince a majority of electors that its return would be in their best interests.” “The loss of five seats would cost us the Government,” said Mr Meadowcroft.