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Press, 22 April 1977, Page 4

The Labour Party has begun a fund-raising campaign with the formation of the Labour Party Supporters Fund, Incorporated and the appointment of a finance director to co-ordi-nate its activities.

Party supporters who attended a meeting in St Albans on Wednesday evening to hear an address by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Rowling) were also introduced to the finance director, Mr J. B. Munro, the former member of Parliament for InvercargilL Mr Munro made no bones about the style of his fund-raising campaign, which he said, would be similar in style to those

run by the American evangelist, Billy Graham. He told the meeting that the Labour Party needed a regular cash flow, and that all supporters needed to dig deep into their pockets. “It is not good enough just to vote Labour, you have to do more,” he said.

The money was needed for .he 1978 General Election, and to meet such commitments as wages for permanent staff, Mr Munro said. These included himself and the former M.P. for Mangere, Mr C. J. Moyle, who had recently been appointed policy co-ordinator. Mr Munro hopes to raise $lOO,OOO this year. To help raise funds the

party is offering little plastic money boxes, in which supporters can place their spare coins. Mr Munro has dubbed the boxes “anti-piggy banks,” and he hopes to find volunteers who will visit supporters’ homes every three months to empty the boxes. Forms which authorise banks to make automatic payments from personal bank accounts into the Labour Party account were also distributed at the meeting. “There is a grim determination to strengthen the party,” said Mr Munro, who is also campaigning for new members.