The press for breakfast

Press, 13 April 1978, Page 3

The press for breakfast

Many people take “The Press” to their breakfast table. Yesterday the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Rowling) took the press to his. Mr Rowling was host to Christchurch journalists from radio, television, and the newspapers at an American-styie campaign breakfast at which all discussion was “off the record” but any tonic of conversation was allowed.

Sharing the cereal and the bacon and eggs, as well as the workload, were the Labour members of Parliament for Heretaunga (Mr R./L. Bailey) and Napier (Mr G. Christie), and the local candidates for St Albans (Mr D. F. Caygill) and Lyttelton (Mrs A. Hercus). All are taking part in three days of intensive campaigning in Christchurch. Conversation was wideranging and covered the N.A.C.-Air New Zealand merger, tax reform, unemployment, lay-offs, trans-Tasman trade, the economy generally, and, naturally enough, some thoughts on this year’s General Election.

Not that it was heavy going. A relaxed Mr Rowling spiced the whole liberally with jokes, wisecracks, and anecdotes (invariably against himself). It was time, too, for some plain sepaking about the news media, and Mr Rowling was never hesitant to chide.

Later in the day he visited five factories in Christchurch and a freezing works at Belfast, touring the plant and talking to staff, as well as making a call to a play-centre and the Hornby Working Men’s Club. Mr Rowling will have another heavy round today, beginning with a 7.30 a.m. visit to the fruit and produce markets.