Government and Opposition

Press, 1 November 1976, Page 18

Government and Opposition

Sir, — “Don’t question the Government” is the message that comes through Cedric Mentiplay*s report. This was demonstrated on Saturday when he complained.because the Opposition had broken the "comparative calm" by opposing the Broadcasting Bill, and by raising questions concerning “overstayers.” Yet the Opposition was merely drawing on its resources to encourage the Government to act with integrity and justice. Not only does Mr Mentiplay dislike the Opposition doing its work, but others also, e.g. Islanders, who “make offstage noises” or "persist in seeing only their side” should remain silent. But, Mr Mentiplay, the behaviour and performance of the Government, and of Mr Muldoon in particular, have been so lacking in integrity, I believe, that to remain silent is to compromise one’s own integrity. Even some of the

Government back - benchers are beginning to realise this. I hope we will be saved from such biased reporting subsequently.—Yours, etc., ROBERT EAGLE. October 20, 1976.

[Mr Mentiplay replies: “Nobody disputes the Opposition's right to oppose, but the exercise of this right can be carried to absurd lengths. The “offstage noises” I referred to came that week mainly from the Prime Minister of Western Samoa, who spoke as usual, in response to a New Zealand inquiry. Of three political features printed under my name by “The Press" that week-end, one was the round-up of which Mr Eagle complains, another was a study of the new Labour member for Nelson (Mr Courtney), with the headline: “Labour is stronger for its defeat.” The third, what local members had been saying, contained the utterances of five Labour members and one National.”]