‘New Zealand Methodist’ examines election result

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33093, 7 December 1972, Page 21

‘New Zealand Methodist’ examines election result

The unexpected strength of Labour’s majority could only show that people in New Zealand wanted change much more radical than anything the National Government was ready to offer, the “New Zealand Methodist” says in its latest issue. “It was all the more remarkable that such a landslide should take place in prosperous times,” the article says.

The paper attributes the Labour Party’s appeal to its steady emphasis on whole families. “Housing, medical services, concern for the environment, education, regional development — all will develop much more vigorously as the policies presented take effect.” The people’s choice of a Labour government meant that they had decisively

voted against the subordination of people to the economy in favour of the reassertion of the primacy of human welfare and human potential. “On the shadowy side of the ledger, the party still has too many safety-first men in positions of influence,” the paper says.

Their potential “to fritter away victory” should be compensated by "a crop of energetic, radically inclined talent among the back-bench-ers and new M.P.s.”

“Once before, Labour had the Parliamentary power to do more than it went on to achieve. Its majority is again sufficient for it to plan for the long haul, and it should get on with the job all the more vigorously for that “There will be no excuse for Labour if its policies do not take effect,” the “New Zealand Methodist,” says.