A quiet First Lady

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33069, 9 November 1972, Page 6

A quiet First Lady

Mrs Margaret Marshall finds organised disruption of her husband’s political meetings “disappointing.” She says interjectors make a meeting more interesting, “but organised noise is beyond a joke.”

“I don’t like to see people disrupting meetings,” she said in Christchurch last evening. “They don’t come to hear what is said. It is disappointing to know people can behave in such a way.” When Mrs Marshall campaigns with her husband, she is characteristically unobtrusive. Instead of sitting on the platform, she takes a seat among the audience. ‘Manages well’ Did she ever feel concerned for her husband’s safety when protestors disrupted meetings? “Last night in Wellington he managed well, and I’m fully confident that he can handle them. But it’s not very nice.” Mrs Marshall enjoys campaigning, “up to a point.” As a Prime Minister’s wife, though, she finds travelling further afield more tiring. However, she welcomes the opportunity to meet National Party workers. “They do work hard, and they seem to enjoy the opportunity of meeting us,” she said. “We couldn’t do without them.” She is a veteran campaigner. She was on the road with Mr Marshall before her four children — now grown

up and very interested in politics — were bom. When they were children she attended local political meetings, but travelled little. “Now I go everywhere.” National campaigning she finds less persona! than in Mr Marshall’s own electorate, although she has come to know National Party workers in most areas during her husband’s political career.

Happy with role But Margaret Marshall has no ambitions to mount her own political campaign. She is happy with the traditional role of the Prime Minister’s wife — accompanying her husband — because “you hear enough with one of us talking.” It is not that she is shy of speaking in public. Often she is required to speak at party gatherings, but she keeps it short and informal.

However, she keeps up with the issues of the campaign. “You can’t help but take an interest.” Since Mr Marshall became Prime Minister in February, Mrs Marshall has found life busier. Entertaining visitors, many from overseas, takes up a large part of her life. In her official capacity she has also become involved in many women’s and service organisations, a role she finds especially interesting. The Marshall’s spend as much of their free time as possible in week-ends at their family home in the country, where they garden, walk, and go trout fishing. “When we stay at the farm we get the peace we feel we

need,” she said. “It’s a dif-i ferent existence.” ‘Quite optimistic’ And what of the future,: and the gamble that is politics; did she ever contemplate the possibility of the National Party losing the election? “Yes, I know its possible,” j she said. “This is something you know you have to face! and accept if necessary. For the country’s sake I don’t like to think of the Labour: Party getting into power, i Yes, life would be very dif-j ferent for both of us if my I husband were Leader of the Opposition.” But Mrs Marshall is quietly confident. “Oh yes,” she) smiled, “I’m quite optimistic, about it.”