Members criticise Govt’s role

Press, 28 May 1979, Page 2

Members criticise Govt’s role

From

CEDRIC MENTIPLAY

PA Wanganui Dissatisfaction with the performances of National members of Parliament, and specifically with the alleged abandonment of party principles in favour of pragmatic decisions, provided the background at the week-end conference in Wanganui of the Wellington division of the National Party. It appears that the call for a return to party principles, as made earlier this year by the president (Mr G. A Chapman). has received strong support, and that National Party

members of Parliament are as unpopular with the party rank and file as Labour Party Parliamentarians are with" their party members. Significant remits passed at the Wellington division conference included: The Parliamentary wing of the National Party must adhere to basic National Party, concepts, such as the private enterprise system. Bureaucratic control must be diminished in relation to personal freedom, and Much more explanation ■must be given of what is intended, both by the Governiment and by the party. I Possibly the most con-

troversial remit of the conference related to national superannuation. A basic remit calling on the Government to return the superannuation age to 65 and above, and to consider i reintroducing the means test, was only narrowly defeated. Speakers emphasised that 20 per cent of all Government expenditure was paid out to superannuitants, but there was also comment on the amount paid back in taxation by superannuitants now encouraged to remain in the work-force. The remit was rejected by a significantly narrow margin.