P.M. ‘arrogant, petty’ towards Socred leader

Press, 8 March 1978, Page 6

P.M. ‘arrogant, petty’ towards Socred leader

The Social Credit leader,! Mr B. C. Beetham. was entitled to a "fair go” over hisi membership of Parliament-! ary select committees, said! the Leader of the Opposition i (Mr Rowling) in Christ-’, church last evening. Mr Rowling said he was I ••appalled by the arrogant I and petty attitude” adopted! by the Prime Minister (Mr! Muldoon) towards Mr Beet-i ham’s membership of select; committees, and offered Mr I Beetham his assistance. “It is ludicrous to say,. as I the Prime Minister is saying,; that because Mr Beetham is; not part of the Government; he snould take the place of. Labour people on select! committees." he said. “The present structure of j committees is designed tosuit a two-party system. With Social Credit’s re-entry! into Parliament, it is obvious; there must be changes." said Mr Rowling. “1 would have thought that even the! leader of the National Party-

[could have grasped that; simple fact. “Under no tircumstances, jwill the Labour Party re!move any. of its members j (from select committees to! |suit, the Prime Minister’s! •convenience. The committees can be enlarged. I would be I very happy to talk to Mr Beetham about the present impasse. •| “The situation is farcical.; lit further lowers the stand-! ling of Parliament. I believe jit is essentia] that the mat- ! ter be sorted out' very i quickly.” Mr Rowling said. ! Mr Rowling was in Christchurch for a series of en-l 1 gagements, including a j ’Labour Party youth rally i ! held as part of the party’s I “Youth Week.” j Earlier in the day, he ad-! [dressed senior pupils at| !Shirley Boys’ High School; land Burnside High School,! the staff at Lane Walker! Rudkin. Ltd. and students at; the University of Canter-! j bury. He also visited the I Christchurch Hospital.