People ‘worried, nervous’

Press, 28 August 1978, Page 1

People ‘worried, nervous’

PA Wellington The former Social Credit member of Parliament, Mr V. F. Cracknell, yesterday accused the Government of ruthless behaviour, character assassination, and smear tactics.

When Germany was suffering under Hitler, Russia under Stalin and Italy under Mussolini, “we were sorry for them, but apathetic,” Mr Cracknell said.

“But today in New Zealand, people are not so apathetic. In fact, they are worried and nervous, and with justification.” Mr Cracknell, now honorary president of the league, said people were beginning to realise that what happened in Ger» many, Russia, and Italy could and was happening to them.

“I refer to the ruthless behaviour of the Government in our House Of Representatives, the character assassination and the smear tactics.

“I refer to the S.I.S. increasing its activities and its possible infringement of personal liberties/’ Mr Cracknell, member

of Parliament for Hobson from 1966 to 1969, cited the intrusion into personal privacy of the Wanganui Computer Centre, the introduction of telephone tapping, and the pursuit of immigrants. He said that strictures on them were now stringent laws and regulations constricting personal liberty with a burgeoning bureaucracy interfering in the day-to-day lives of people. “A Social Credit government would have none of this because we are pledged to protect and preserve the liberty of the individual. It is time the people of New Zealand decided that they do not like it and will not have it,” he said. Mr Cracknell said the Government had already started the Election lolly scramble by releasing the farmers’ wool retention money during the Ran? gitikei by-election, giving them a stock bounty, and reducing taxes. The Labour Party had brought down a national tax reduction scheme which was only national because Labour would never be able to put it into effect. All this had been done

against a background of static population growth, nil err minus growth of gross national product, inflation, increased overseas borrowing, 50,000 unemployed, bankruptcies, redundancy, lay-offs, industrial strikes, and cutbacks in production and development. Against this background, it was obvious that after the Election, the Government would "take back all the lollies and give out acid drops instead.” Looking at the Social Credit League itself, Mr Cracknell said it was now bigger, wealthier and more sophisticated. The last pojnt was important be? cause the people of New Zealand were turning to Social Credit. "Social Credit is a different organisation today. We have moved from an amateur body to a • professional body,” Mr Cracknell said.

, The conference steered away from an abortion debate.

A move to debate the controversial issue came on the conference floor from the East Coast Bays candidate, Mr G. Knapp. But it was ruled out of

order by the league president, Mr G. Bryant, on the ground that no remit on abortion had been offered for inclusion at the proper time in remits prepared for conference debate.

A wide range of other remits were adopted. Unlike National and Labour, Social Credit conference decisions are binding on its Parliamentary wing. Remits included:

Television to be merged into one corporation running two complimentary channels, eliminating wasteful duplication and allowing for increased local productions and educational television.

Electoral spending limits in political campaigns and members free air travel to be better regulated, and drawing up of a code of ethics for members of Parliament.

A new Railways corporation with shares available for public purchase and a fast inter-city passenger service between all provincial cities displacing railways buses. The introduction of rabbit, game bird and fish farming. Further report, Page 2.