Opposition M.P. sets out his priorities

Press, 8 May 1978, Page 20

Opposition M.P. sets out his priorities

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CEDRIC MENTIPLAY

In the parliamentary ses-

sion which opens this week the first priority of the Labour Opposition is to disprove and dispel the Government’s theories on the economy.

This is the view of Mr Norman John Kirk, Labour member for Sydenham, who at the age of 30 is one of the most active and vocal of our members of Parliament. “The economy is the section of New Zealand life most seriously damaged at the moment,” he told me in answer to questions. “It has been damaged by the policies of the current Government. It is up to us as an Opposition to ruin their credibility, and for the depression now upon us to be directly attributed to National’s mismanagement.”

He is in no doubt that this is the first priority and the main issue. He also believes it will be the main General Election issue. However, there are a number of other subjects which have their special meanings.

Of these he ranks the abortion issue first. “Right or wrong, it will come to a head with the issue of the amendments or repeal. Politicians throughout New Zealand are going to be seen as suppor-

“There was the superannuation breach,” he explained. “This was in telling the people they could break the law because the law was going to change. The merger —another illegal thing. We have a society. We try to teach our youngsters to observe the code, to be responsible citizens. Yet the Government breaks that very same code ...” A priority this year, as far as the Opposition is concerned, Mr Kirk explained, is a will to see government wherever possible returned to the people. “It is an important thing that we get statutes done away with rather than added to,” he said. “We have to have a freer society, inasmuch as people know what they are not allowed to do.” On one issue he has the strongest of feelings. “The thing that has to happen in Parliament this year, if Parliament is to survive, is that personal denigration has to stop. It must cease because, if personal politics and the incitement to personal politics does not stop, I really think that Parliament as we know it will not exist in 10 years.” Mr Kirk admits that if anyone made an attack on him concerning his personal life or affairs he would feel dutybound to respond “at least

in triplicate.” He added: “You would know, as a reporter in this place, that the walls have ears. There is nobody in this place who can really be sure that he or she is beyond personal attack." His solution to the whole unsavoury subject of personal confrontation is a return to the “old days” when what he describes as “the standoff” used to operate. “Politicians were no different in those days,” he said. “Members stilt had their problems. But politicians got on with the job of running the country, rather than running each other down. I hope that one of the main priorities this year will be the banishment of personality politics. It has to happen." What will eventuate if it doesn’t? “There will be a whole new strain of politicians who come here merely to do battle on a personal basis. And they’re going to fight their way up: and you will count their successes on the number of people they cut down.”

He expressed the opinion that the Prime Minister -(Mr Muldoon) had the opportunity to lead the way. “It is his choice. If he chooses to take the political rather than the personal approach, I am sure much can be gained for Parliament as a whole. If he sets the pace, the others will follow.”