P.M. denies being told to ‘slow down’

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33874, 20 June 1975, Page 1

P.M. denies being told to ‘slow down’

(Hew Zealand Fret* AtiocMion) WELLINGTON, June 19. The Prime Minister (Mr Rowling) said today that his health was not suffering because of a too-heavy workload.

At a press conference, he said he had had two medical checks in the last 18 months, and after each the doctor had indicated that he was “disgustingly healthy.”

He had not been told to "slow down,” but his doctor had advised him to arrange his programme so that it would not be too demanding. The advice had not been based on “heart beat” but on what the doctor had read of the Prime Minister’s itinerary, Mr Rowling said. Mr Rowling was commenting on a report this morning that other M.P.s were concerned about his health.

At no stage since becoming Prime Minister had he felt any concern himself about his health, Mr Rowling said. Asked whether the position as Prime Minister was becoming more demanding than it had in past years, Mr Rowling said that those close to Prime Ministers over the years said they had noted a "change and increase” in a Prime Minister’s duties.

The same would apply to a Cabinet Minister's duties, or indeed to the duties of any member of Parliament.

Mr Rowling said it was

The pressure which he had carried since he became Prime Minister could not be taken as being the norma) pressures one might encounter. He had taken over “in midstream," without having had the benefit of a period as Deputy Prime Minister.

Asked whether he felt that he was working too hard, and whether that was the reason why he was considering shedding either the Foreign Affaire portfolio or the leadership of the House, Mr Rowling said that no matter what job he was at, he often had felt he was working too hard.

He had felt it as a teacher, and as a drainlayer’s labourer.

Mr Rowling said that he had asked the Cabinet Ministers voluntarily to undergo medical checks, and “to a man” they had responded. Their reports had been given to him, and every one had been very good, Mr Rowling said.

possible that he would ease his workload next year.

He would “have a look” at the possibility of giving up either his Foreign Affairs portfolio, or the position of Leader of the House. It was unlikely that he would drop both, Mr Rowling said.