Party chairman resigns

Press, 24 March 1980, Page 6

Party chairman resigns

PA Auckland. The chairman of the Remuera branch of . the National Party (Mr R. Baxter) has resigned. He gave;

i t as his main reason the “indecent haste” of an' Auck- • land lawyer, Mr D. Graham’s efforts to become the new : I member of Parliament.

In an apparent backlash to i the campaign Mr Graham ' has been waging with the help of his own public rela- ; tions firm, there have been approaches by senior party i officials to the sitting member of Parliament (Mr D. A. i

Highet) to stand again. Mr Highet, who was 65 at the last election, told the electorate executive a year ago that this would be his last term. Now, however, he is non-committal, saying it is not the right time for any comment.

Mr Baxter was unopposed when nominations for chairman closed recently. He has since withdrawn and will be replaced at tomorrow’s annual meeting by a manage-

ment consultant (Mr J. Peebles). Mr Baxter said the last year had been unpleasant and very demanding. “I haven’t enjoyed the almost, indecent haste of people trying to replace the sitting

member. ' “This time last year, Mr Highet had hardly been elected when Mr Graham was away and running, sparing no thought for Mr Highet’s position. Mr Highet has found it very unsettling and embarrassing,” he said. Mr Baxter said the elec-

torate organisation had been side-tracked “by one man who wants the nomination, whereas others who might have equal or better qualifications have held back.”