National Party again united

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32975, 22 July 1972, Page 1

National Party again united

(From Our Own Reporter/ WELLINGTON, July 21. There was good news 'for members and supporters at the opening of the National Party conference today. The party was again united after difficulties last year.

The other good news was! that the leadership change j had been acclaimed widely> and achieved without “rifts i or unhappiness, strife or I bitterness,” that the Prime i Minister (Mr Marshall) was for liberalism, and the party ■ was giving more emphasis than ever to humanitarian and welfare concerns. From the Dominion counIcil came the report that the criticisms and frustrations endured by many executives had mostly disappeared during the year, and that there '■ was no ' shortage of candidates seeking the party’s nomination for the General i Election. From the President (Mr E. 'D. Holt) came the forecast

that the party would win the election by seven or more seats. The bad news was that the very first remit with which the conference was confronted today had to be labelled '‘reactionary” and be described as “reaching back ; into the party’s past and coveted memories.” The Otago and Waikato divisions of the party were I asking the Government te take “a more positive attii tude” towards vandalism, demonstrations and public i disruptions, and for legisla- ■ tion and additional powers for the police, including the i right to prosecute the ; instigators as well as the : perpetrators of such acts. Here were echoes of the past, said Mr J. J. Watts, of Karori The police had ample powers, he said, and New Zealand society was sufficiently stable to weather i criticism. “Obviously vandali ism must be punished.” I In spite of assurances by ! the advocates of the remit that it was not aimed at preventing demonstrations, the conference rejected the remit. Then the conference approved, by a small

margin, a remit seeking a comprehensive programme of sex education in secondary schools. The conference predictably supported the Government’s “bridges” policy on the white South African Rugby tour, and called for steps to assure freedom to enjoy international sporting occasions without hindrance from disruptive minority groups. “THE ISSUES” Mr Holt outlined the election issues as he saw them: Economic policies as a basis for welfare programmes. The protection of people from violence and molestation. Environmental issues, and industrial peace. Referring to his deputy, Mr Muldoon, Mr Marshall said, “Cynical critics said we could not work together. They were wrong; we are working in complete harmony.” Mr Marshall’s election forecast was that three Labour-held seats looked promising for National, and half a dozen were “tottering on the brink.” He did not name the seats.