Christchurch Central seat

Press, 21 August 1979, Page 16

Christchurch Central seat

Sir, — To some people the Christchurch by-election is now over. To the Labour Party, however, the mirror must surely wear away. They are going to have to take a real hard look and try to convince themselves they are still a viable proposition. The polls proved they have lost the voters’ confidence. It is their few faithfuls who must now be held accountable for allowing the National Party to get exactly what it wanted. The electors had the opportunity that so many other New Zealanders, South Islanders especially, would have paid dearly for, and they blew it. Such is the attitude the two major parties have thrived on for years. Maybe Social Credit did get more than a 100 per cent increase on the 1978 election, but was it enough? Christchurch Central and the rest of the South Island still do not have a new voice in Parliament. — Yours, etc., H. YORK. August 19, 1979.

Sir, — Social Credit claimed that it would be second in the Christchurch Central by-election and that claim has been proved true. Labour can hardly claim any sort of victory in view of the low poll. The Labour voters of Central were taken for granted, I feel, by the Labour Party and my belief is reinforced by Mr Anderton’s comment on the result of the campaign (“The Press,” August 20): “We failed to set the campaign alight because of a lack ot a serious national policy.” The policy used was that from 1978. Is Mr Anderton telling us that they were not serious in 1978? Surely Labour could have fallen back on its socialist philosophy or is it ashamed of its own beliefs? -— Yours, etc., D. J. GATES. August 20, 1979.