‘National loyalty not strained’

Press, 17 November 1976, Page 3

‘National loyalty not strained’

PA Wellington There was no justification j for the statement by a mem- ; ber of the National Party’s dominion council, Mr Julian ' Watts, that National loyalty ! had been stretched almost to breaking point, the party I ( president (Mr G. A. Chap-! man' said yesterday. “The National Party is a ! broad - spectrum party, ' reflecting a cross-section of;' the diverse opinions present.! in the community on most i' controversial issues.” he 1 1 said. “I have always encouraged:' members of the National ii Party to speak their minds,!' in the belief that debate is I healthy and beneficial. t “Mr Watts, who is a controversial and deliberately ; provocative speaker, is per- ; fectly entitled to express his * own views. “Mr Watts has spoken to); me and confirms that in : this case he did indeed ex-li

press a personal view, exaggerated to give it emphasis.* His concern, as 1 understand' it, is to emphasise the need for the Parliamentary team to understand the problems: of the party organisation and vice versa, in these rapidly changing times,” Mr: Chapman said. I “Mr Watts, even as a Do-; I minion councillor, does not' have available to him the amount of detailed informa-i lion which comes into party! .headquarters every day. All) ithis information confirms, 'that right now there is considerable activity and success in the membership ; drives and fund-raising I activities occurring at branch and electorate level throughout the country. “The party organisation is: totally occupied in prepar'ngi for the impending boundary I changes which, in my view, i could have much more im'pact on the 1978 election re-, suits than any of the issues' ireferred to by Julian Watts.”