‘Stolen’ script not alone

Press, 4 November 1978, Page 6

‘Stolen’ script not alone

The draft televisioncommercial script allegedly “stolen” from the National Party was one of several given to journalists by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Rowling) at an election meetling in New Plymouth on ■ Thursday evening. I '.The other scripts dealt 1 [with taxation, imports, I ; exports, international rela-; pions, inflation, drugs, and 1 agriculture. | The script which Mr Rowling quoted from at the meet- i ing. and which prompted the I National Party to complain] to the police, dealt with the Government’s industrial-! relations policy. Mr Rowling said that the “hairy-arm” script called for] a voice “singing Labour I songs” with a note suggesting “Russian-style music.” . “Remember '1975 and all I the hypocrisy and humbug,” I I Mr Rowling said. “Perhaps i we are going to get more of i [the same.” h The script- called for al: strong hairy arm to appear Is

•on the screen “flexing • powerful muscles” and then I[ to wrist-wrestle with "a I strong clean arm." < Mr Rowling said: "I think •;we can take it that the hairv arm is something to do with the unions. Maybe it is the Bank Officers’ Guild or perhaps it is the Public Service I typists—they have taken some action recently." The hairy arm lost and the clean arm won The script said that in conI diet the Government had refused to give way. and that [“with the decision of the [ clerical workers, voluntary 1 unionism had become a [reality in New Zealand” ' "This is very interesting.” [said Mr Rowling, "because the clerical workers have not had a ballot yet- Is this advertisement to say the ballot will be rigged, that there is not going to be a ballot and that the clerical workers are not going to have a say. or [that the Government has ■ some other trick up its I sleeve?" Mr Rowling said.