Labour “a leader not a follower” says P.M.

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 34012, 28 November 1975, Page 14

Labour “a leader not a follower” says P.M.

(iVew Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 27. The Labour Government had achieved more in its three years in office so far, than National had “even contemplated in 12 years,” the Prime Minister (Mr Rowling) said in Wellington last night.

Speaking at his last election meeting, Mr Rowling told a capacity audience of 1900 people in the Wellington Town Hall that under Labour, New Zealand had “become a leader, not a follower.”

Labour had taken the coun-| try through the worst international depression in 50 years and in doing so, had produced “the best growth and employment record in the Western world.” As he spoke, a Maori concert party standing at the back of the stage came forward placing a traditional cloak around the Prime Minister’s shoulders. After lopd interjections, he said, “I am deeply moved by this gesture. 1 only hope that some of those who are making the noise could show some of the dignity of the Maori.” Mr Rowling said that National were “a bunch of political failures.” “We have refused to slash imports and throw people in this country on the scrap heap.” Instead the Government had put the country’s creditworthiness and overseas reserves to good use. NO APOLOGY "We make no ■ apology to anyone for our policy,” he said. “We are a Government and we will continue to be a Government that governs for the people — not for vested interests. “This is an election of issues, no matter how much the National Party tries to turn it to personalities.” The National Party had announced the 1975 election campaign would be on the lines of a presidential campaign, “but they didn’t have! the material,” he said. The Opposition had then!

tried to campaign on the issues, but had failed to; shake the Government’s re-' eord. “Now they have turned; their hands to character as-1 sassination again.” Mr Muldoon had accused' Labour of a deliberate smear! campaign. NO SMEARING “I give that the absolute' lie. If the Leader of the| Opposition wants to know’ why people have turned; against him in the last few' months, he only has to lookin the mirror.” Swamped at this stage by loud heckling, Mr Rowling was interrupted by the Mayor of Wellington (Mr Michael Fowler), who was chairing the meeting, saying, “Get them out, get them out.” Two men were ejected bypolice, but later Mr Fowler had one of the leaders of the group in the gallery thrown out and, after a warning, asked for the removal of about 50 young people downstairs. All left without fuss. Mr Rowling said that National wanted to cut imports, but consumer imports were at their lowest per centage in 10 years, and other imports could not be cut without throwing people out of work. QUIET DETERMINATION The National Partypromised a return to “dislocation. disruption and confrontation,” he said. “We need stability, we need unity. We need co-op-eration to meet the economic challenges ahead of us.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that the realism w'e’ve put into this is exactly what New Zealand wants, and they have told me that from one end of the country, to the other,” he said. "They don’t want hooliganism, they want stability, jobs and progress. A leadership of quiet determination; not of ballyhoo.” . Mr Rowling defended his; government’s industrial rela-: tions, broadcasting, housing and superannuation policies, and accused National of] wanting to restore political; patronage to broadcasting. The Opposition’s immigra-j tion policy was a “fraud”] which would never work, he] said. Appealing to people to] vote Labour, Mr Rowling] said that elections were more important than a “three year, auction deciding who’s going] to put the most in people’s pockets.” Voting meant making a decision on the country’s future, in the long and the short term. ; “Every election is potentially a step forward or a (step back from the path of ] social progress. “W’e don’t want, dividers and spoilers. We must build on the future and we’ll never be able to do that if we can’t trust each other.” 1 He said that the last few months had seen too much “distrust and prejudice.” “We’re all working part-

ners in a common cause in; this country—we’re all New' Zealanders. “I am not in any doubt at all that the great majority of people want a society in] which everyone is better off. not just themselves.” The people of New Zealand held “destiny” but Mr Rowling said, “I know they: will make the right choice.”