M.P. plans to write memoirs

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32959, 4 July 1972, Page 2

M.P. plans to write memoirs

(New Zealand Press Anociation;

HAMILTON, July 3.

Sir Leslie Munro is to write his memoirs, and this is one of the reasons why he decided to announce his retirement on Saturday night.

“I have been contemplating writing my memoirs. There’s a lot which 1 know, both about international and national politics,” he said today. “Before I was appointed editor of the ‘New Zealand Herald’ in 1942, I was president of the Remuera branch of the National Party and a Dominion councillor, so my experience of the party goes right back to its beginning,” he said. Although he had recently suffered a slight heart attack —“I didn’t feel any pain at all. It wasn’t till they told me that I knew what had happened” — his doctors had told him he was fit enough to contemplate another term. “But when the doctor said to think about retirement in three years time, well, that finally made up my mind,” said Sir Leslie Munro.

His immediate plan was to have a rest when he retired. ■This is going to be a very severe session—at least as bad as last year, when the House sat until midnight nearly every night.” he said. He would consider a diplomatic post when he retired if it was a "post of signifl-

cance.” “But we have built this house in Hamilton—give my wife most of the credit for that—and my son-in-law, who is an architect, says it is very difficult for a man of my age to embark on getting another house. And if I went overseas we would have to sell this place.” As far as his career in Parliament was concerned, he said, he had few regrets.

“Naturally I would like to have had a portfolio, but that’s the prerogative of the Prime Minister, and I accept that. “Sir Keith Holyoake did offer me the High Commission in London, but for reasons which I will go into in my memoirs I declined,” he said. Sources speculated today that the Mayor of Hamilton (Mr M. J. Minogue) would be a candidate for Sir Leslie Munro’s electorate. Questioned about this, Mr Minogue said it was true there had been suggestions that he should seek to become an M.P. "I would make no comment at this stage,” he said. Mr Minogue paid tribute to Sir Leslie Munro’s service to New Zealand.