“Dignity and power” in P.M.’s leadership

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33067, 7 November 1972, Page 15

“Dignity and power” in P.M.’s leadership

The Labour Party was becoming desperate; it was endeavouring to divert attention from crucial issues, and it was imperative that the election campaign should be fought on such considerations, the Member of Parliament for South Canterbury ((Mr R. L. G. Talbot) told a gathering of 17 at Makikihi Hall on Friday evening. On the question of leadership. he said the Prime Minister (Mr Marshall) was a man who commanded respect; one with the knowledge, directness, sincerity and the “guts” to guide the country through difficult periods. “He has proved himself; he has represented New Zealand on world forums with great dignity and power,” said Mr Talbot. Another vital point was stabilisation of the economy. The Government was dampening down the inflationary’ spiral; injecting stability into the economy, and he deplored the condemnation of the Remuneration Authority by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk). New Zealand was the pathfinder in this respect, and such measures must remain in force until the heat was off the global scene—for the good of New Zealand’s

primary industry, and for the country as a whole. There should be a continuation of the dramatic development and diversification of trade throughout the world. “The pressure must be maintained,” said Mr Talbot. Ten years ago, 5 per cent of New Zealand’s total dairy products went to countries in the Pacific basin. “Now,” Mr Talbot continued, “just over 40 per cent is exported to the same sphere. Nearly 12J per cent of our dairy product income comes from Chile and Peru alone.” Mr Talbot also emphasised the importance of the environment; the maintenance of the “quality of life.” There were no gimmicks in the Party’s regional development policy, Mr Talbot asserted. “We must be positive; we have to sell the area.” He said it was hoped toj work out some system off freight assistance. “We need' all the overseas investment we can get to develop the) country to the full. We havel the potential,” he said. An issue of great importance was that of democracy —whether to continue the basic principles of a private enterprise, property - owning democracy. “It would be a tragedy for the future development of New Zealand if this was interfered with,” Mr Talbot said. The greatest danger to the balanced development of the country’s resources (power and land) was the attitude of many extremists, who took a fixed position and were not prepared to adopt a balanced approach to many of the nation’s problems, said Mr Talbot.