Values ‘visible’ in Rangitikei

Press, 17 February 1978, Page 16

Values ‘visible’ in Rangitikei

The Values Party campaign in the Rangitikei electorate is raising issues which must be resolved if New Zealand is to survive a democratic society, according to a Values spokesman. Mr J. A. Stewart, national organiser and party field worker, said that the Values campaign in Rangitikei was visible, and increasingly effective in raising crucial issues. These would have to be resolved if the countrv was to survive as “a civilised, sane, just, and democratic society.”

Mr Stewart was commenting on an article in “The Press’ headed “Party big guns draw a bead on Rangitikei,” written by Cedric Mentiplay.

He said that contrary’ to Mr Mentiplay’s remark contained in the article, there was nothing “shadowy” about the Values candidate for Rangitikei (Dr D. Hocking). “He is a very visible and substantial being with clear ind forcibly expressed views on New Zealand’s current jconomic problems, the grow-

ing difficulties of the farming sector, and the impact of the growing energy crisis on rural transport,’’ said Mr Stewart. “Furthermore his stands on social issues and .justice are strong.”

Mr Mentiplay was wrong, he said, in saying that Dr Hocking was married and had five children. Neither was he conducting a wide-sweeping campaign in the electorate exclusively by bicycle. “We are, of course, aware that Values is starting almost from nothing in this electorate. but that fact is no excuse for Cedric Mentiplay’s snide references to our canj didate.” Mr Stewart said. “It [certainly does not exclude his i inaccurate and unprofessional comments.”

Mr Mentiplay has replied: “I appear to have made a considerable mistake about Dr Hocking’s marital status, and 1 must apologise for this. “However, opinions as to the impact of his campaign will naturally vary. I did not say that he was campaigning ‘exclusively by bicycle’.”