P.M. “Badly Rattled”

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31321, 17 March 1967, Page 1

P.M. “Badly Rattled”

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Mar. 16. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk) said today that the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) was “badly rattled” by the very strong public reaction to the economic measures he had taken.

He was commenting on the Prime Minister’s criticism of him for not commenting on the Federation of Labour’s proposals for handling the economy.

Mr Kirk said: “The Prime Minister’s statement is just another example of his capacity to say the .first thing that comes into his head, whether it is right or not. “The fact that the Prime Minister is indulging in such childish nonsense makes it perfectly clear that the very strong public reaction to the economic measures he has taken has left Mr Holyoake badly rattled.” Mr Kirk said he could not think why anybody should be grateful to Mr Holyoake for the mess he and his Cabinet had made of the New Zealand economy or for the trouble they had caused. “He cannot expect the rough treatment he has handed out to the wage and earner, the pensioner and others, to be accepted without coyhplaint,” said Mr Kirk.

“He can certainly expect everyone to be angry at the way he has let them and the country down, but I am surprised that he should take up this querulous attitude, par-

ticularly since the Minister of Justice (Mr Hanan) said only a few days ago that the current Federation of Labour protests could only take place under a National Government. “It would be much better at this time if, instead of trying to play puerile politics with a serious economic problem, he would devote himself single-mindedly to trying to avert the hardship his Government’s policy shortcomings are imposing on the people.”