Christchurch Central seat

Press, 11 August 1979, Page 14

Christchurch Central seat

Sir, — Labour’s answer to Parliamentary reform seems to be to increase the number of parliamentarians. Such a course of action will do nothing to restore the dignity and responsibility that should be Parliament’s without making Parliament more bureaucratic. What is needed is a system of proportional representation as has been mooted by Social Credit. More responsiveness and answerability to Parliament is required and can only be supplied by the election of individuals who are willing to work for real reform of Parliament. Mr Heffernan, of Social Credit, is such a person and the people of Christchurch, Central would be making a most significant contribution to real reform of the House of Representatives if they returned him in the coming by-election. One only has to read reports such as that recording the confict between Mr Moore and Mr Taiboys (“The Press,” August 9) to know that change is needed. — Yours, etc., _ I. J. GATES. August 9, 1979.

Sir, —- Writing from Invercargill, T. A. Cocker (August 8) wants the Rangitikei effect to be used in the Christchurch Central by-election because it would help the whole of the South Island. He thinks this is the key issue but there is another. We all know the Rangitikei effect sparked off the soulsearching being done by National at present in its attempt to put its shaky house in order. If used in Christchurch Central it would administer a sharp rebuke to Labour for its drift into socialism and bureaucracy, forcing a reappraisal of its philosophy. At present some former Labour supporters are not happy and are openly saying so. Socialism is in decline throughout the world, as recent elections in Britain and France clearly show. If Terry Heffernan won or even came second, National would have to hurry ’with its back to basics move and Labour would be forced to start an overdue spring clean. — Yours, etc., A. M. COATES. August 8, 1979.