Censure petition called “politically motivated”

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32660, 16 July 1971, Page 3

Censure petition called “politically motivated”

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, July 15.

A petition seeking the censure of the Minister of Finance (Mr Muldoon) for allowing his photograph to be used in a gin advertisement was described by the chairman of the Petitions Committee, Mr V. S. Young (Nat., Egmont) in Parliament today as politically motivated.

Bringing back to Parliament a “no recommendation” decision from the committee, he said: “I don’t think the Petitions Committee should become the final repository of party political propaganda.” But Mr J. A. Walding (Lab., Palmerston (North) said the person (who presented the petition was not a member of the Labour Party.

The petition was presented [by Michael Neill and 193 [Others. Mr Young said that Mr (Neill was unable to give evidence to the committee but ’evidence was given by Mrs (R. Noonan. At the outset it appeared ithat the petition was the product of Auckland University, but it became apparent later that the Labour movement had an influence on presenting the petition. ; Mrs Noonan was a Labour Party branch chairman. This did not preclude her presenting a petition but it becamel clear at least to Government] members that this was politi-i cally motivated, said Mr( Young. Decision changed It had been decided to seek a Crown Law Office opinion (on the relevant section of (the Police Offences Act, but ! Mrs Noonan had conceded that the Minister had not (contravened the act and it would have taken some time (to get a decision. ’. To Labour interjections asking how long this would take, Mr Young said: “Several weeks.” The suggested censure of a member was a serious matter, he said. On only five occasions had members been censured—the last time in 1912. Mr Walding said Mr Neill

was not a member of the Labour Party and had no intention of becoming one. This was known to the committee chairman.

The committee secretary had advised that it would take one or two weeks to get a decision, he said.

Opinion urged

Mr Walding moved that the report be referred back to the Petitions Committee so that a legal opinion could be obtained and considered. He said the decision to seek a Crown Law Office decision was unanimously carried by the committee, but at a meeting last week members found it was not to be sought and this was passed on a majority vote. What was in question was the judgment of the Minister in allowing himself to be used. There was no question of financial gain. Mr Walding said that when Mr Muldoon saw the advertisement he could have stopped it. Mr T. M. McGuigan (Lab., Lyttelton) said the committee had been given evidence that some of the signatories were members of the National Party. “Why did the National (members of the committee i agree to seek a legal opinion a week ago?” he asked. “What (pressure went on in that (week?

“We were shut out and overruled by the National Party members. The committee, dominated by National members, bulldozed that decision through.” Others cited

Mr J. M. Rose (Nat., Otago Central) listed former Ministers who had allowed their names to be associated with advertisements. Mr Seddon had endorsed Dewar’s whisky and E. W. Mills and Company; Mr Massey had done likewise for Speights Gold Medal ales; Mr Gordon Coates for Gordon’s gin; and Mr Semple for Chevrolet motor cars.

The present Opposition member for Napier, Mr Christie, had been reported as endorsing the good work done by Schweppes’ cordials, he said, and the latest issue of the magazine of Alex Harvey Industries carried a photograph of four M.P.s, including himself, looking at a bath. Mr I. J. Brooks (Lab.. Marlborough) said that if National Party members agreed the matter was serious, all avenues should have been explored. The Minister of Housing, (Mr Rate) said the petition had been activated “by animosity and nothing less.” He did not know of any more serious charge against a Minister, he said, but to try to censure a member of Parliament “over a trifling matter” was so important that it must be disposed of in the shortest possible time.

“Distraction”

Mr N. V. Douglas (Lab., Auckland Central) said the National Party had set out to distract the public and Parliament from the serious matter in hand. “There was no evidence from one Government member which denied the allegation made in the petition,” he said. Did this mean that the Government endorsed using photographs of Ministers in paid advertisements? The company involved had specifically written to the Minister, he said,, asking if it could use his photograph to advertise its product. Mr Muldoon: “No, that’s not correct. They said it was a news-type advertisement.” Apology noted The Minister of Tourism (Mr Walker) said the petitioner did not attend the hearings on the petition to defend his charges. It was noteworthy, said Mr

Walker, that the petitioner had apologised publicly to Mr Muldoon for suggesting that he had offended against the Police Offences Act.

Mr S. A. Whitehead (Lab., Nelson) said it was not fair that petitioners should be asked by the chairman of the petitions committee what political party they supported. “If we are to get this position,” he said, “it is a negation of democracy.”

Mr Muldoon said the advertisement was news-type, and not promotional. “I did not endorse the product,” he said.

When the question had arisen he had made it clear that as far as he was concerned all gins were the

same once the tonic was added.

Once the controversy began, he gave permission for the continued use of the advertisement, as its curtail, ment would have meant the loss to the company of money committed on advertising. ( •, “Money first” Mr A. J. Faulkner (Lab., Roskill) said that the Minister’s original error might have been understandable, but once this error was pointed out he should not have given permission for use of the advertisement to continue.

He had put the company’s money before the reputation of Parliament.

The Opposition forced a division of its amendment, but the Government won this by 40 votes to 35.