Mr Muldoon Denies Refusing Debate

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32145, 14 November 1969, Page 20

Mr Muldoon Denies Refusing Debate

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 13. The Minister of Finance (Mr Muldoon) said today he had not refused to discuss the costs of election promises with the Labour candidate for Mangere, Mr C. J. Moyle, M.P.

“I simply did not have the time available owing to my late return to Wellington,” Mr Muldoon said in a statement.

Mr Moyle said in Auckland yesterday that Mr Muldoon had refused to debate, on a proposed "Gallery” programme, the cost of Labour and National policies.

The Minister said that Mr Moyle, in attempting to draw the fire away from the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk) was taking liberties with the facts.

“I am prepared to discuss election issues in public at any time,” said Mr Muldoon. “I have had several such discusions already, but my immediate objective is to entice Mr Kirk to say face to face what he has been saying in his attacks on me from various election platforms round the country.” Mr Moyle suggested that by seeking a television debate with Mr Kirk, but refusing to debate with Mr Moyle, Mr Muldoon was boosting himself as an alternative leader of the National Party. Mr Kirk has said he is willing to debate election issues on television with the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake).