P.M. appears as man of few words

Press, 20 December 1978, Page 3

P.M. appears as man of few words

•[PA Wellington I The Prime Minister, (Mr Muldoon) who has been 1 taxed by some of his critics ! with talking too much, showed yesterday that he ' can be a man of few words. Mr Muldoon on Monday , announced that he was holding no more news conferences in the meantime. Journalists were told that if they

wanted to see him they should apply through his press secretary, indicating the subject on which they sought his comment. Press Gallery journalists immediately did this and a pile of letters with subjects they wanted to discuss went in to Mr Muldoon. The Prime Minister’s press secretary (Mr G. W. Symmans) said on Monday evening that the answer to all the letters was "No.”

t! But yesterday the journalrjists who wrote the letters a got them back with Mr Mui s doon’s handwritten comi, ments. e The subjects the NZPA representative asked to disf cuss with the Prime Minis- - ter, and Mr Muldoon’s re- - plies, were: The implications for New r Zealand of the proposed oil price increase: “Birch.” Action being taken on sworn statements concerning the Thomas case sent to the Prime Minister by Mr P. J. Booth: “No.” Developments in the establishment of a South Pacific fisheries agency: “None to’ report.” The raising of additional ' finance for the Forum Shipping Jjne: The Prime Minister’s decision not to hold news conr ferences: (No answer given). One newspaper got four “Nos,” the word “Birch” be- ■ side a question on oil-price effects, and no answer on ; the subject of Mr Muldoon’s decision to drop news con- ! ferences. : A Radio New Zealand journalist mentioned seven i subjects he would like to discuss with Mr Muldoon, but Mr Muldoon wrote on the letter: “Too many — not possible.”