Mr Marshall denies battle in caucus

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32708, 10 September 1971, Page 12

Mr Marshall denies battle in caucus

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, September 9.

Mr Marshall denied this evening that there was any battle between himself and the Minister of Finance (Mr Muldoon) in the caucus and Cabinet. Mr Marshall, interviewed on the N.Z.B.C. “Gallery” programme, also denied that Mr Muldoon had taken over the portfolio of the Minister of Labour. He said that the idea was “absurd.”

Asked about Mr Muldoon’s recent statements on industrial disputes, communism and the present case of Mr Brian Brooks—who had not been accepted for the job of industrial mediator—Mr Marshall said: “Mr Muldoon is entitled to his own opinions.” Mr Marshall said that Mr Muldoon was not likely to be I making any more statements j on industrial affairs—except!, to the extent that any Mini-1 ster could make statements , affecting government, or on the way in which the Gov- ! eminent was functioning in any field. Earlier, Mr Marshall nad ; described Mr Muldoon’s at-1 tack on Mr Brooks as “a pro-< vocation.” i Mr Marshall said it was not true that Mr Brooks had !

been rejected on grounds of politics and personality. Mr Marshall said that if Mr Brooks were to resubmit his application for the post, it would be considered, and could be accepted—but added that the new man who had been approached was better qualified. I “I am not prepared to disi close the name, as he may be j unacceptable to others,” Mr i Marshall said. i Mr Muldoon declined to ■comment in Whangarei when itold what Mr Marshall said on the N.Z.B.C.’s “Gallery” programme tonight. Mr Marshall was commenting on Mr Muldoon’s remarks on Tuesday’s “Gallery” programme about Mr Brooks. He was told that Mr Marshall had dissociated himself <md the Government from his opinion. “No comment” replied Mr Muldoon. Asked if his views

had been those of Caucus, Mri Muldoon replied: “Whatever I said in ‘Gallery’ was my view —but I will not comment on anything I have not seen.” Earlier this evening, Mr Muldoon had been asked: “You have been widely reported on such matters as industrial relations, teachers’ pay claims, broadcasting, and of course your own portfolio of finance. Do you consider it politically ethical often to take the initiative from other Ministers?” Mr Muldoon said: “I am chairman of the Cabinet Economic Committee. As chairman, I have to accept responsibility for anything affecting the New Zealand economy. I have this responsibility. I take the view that I will be prepared to discuss in public anything having an economic aspect.” Mr Brooks said from his home in Auckland this evening that as far as he was concerned the matter was “concluded.” He was asked for his comments after the “Gallery” programme in which Mr Marshall discussed the present controversy over the appointment of an industrial mediator. “I am happily employed at Alex Harvey Industries and I intend to remain there as long as they want me to,” said Mr Brooks. Mr Brooks remained silent while the storm brewed, and broke this silence only to announce that he would not accept the job now even if he is appointed. “No-one else was going to make any announcements—and so I had to," he said. “The confusion was making my position more and more embarrassing.”