Whole decade depends on next election – Mr Chapman

Press, 14 July 1980, Page 1

Whole decade depends on next election - Mr Chapman

PA Wellington Because of what he alleges is the Labour Party’s sharp move to the Left, next year’s General Election will determine the direction of New Zealand for the next 10 years, according to the National Party’s President, Mr G. A. Chapman.

He predicted in his 1980 Dominion council report that the election result might be close. The fact that only five seats separated Labour and National and that National was holding seven seats with majorities of 3000 votes or smaller, emphasised this point, he said.

Much was at stake in the election, Mr Chapman said. “I reiterate mv belief that a Socialist government would destroy New Zealand’s growth prospects for the 1980 s.” The whole world was in economic difficulties as a result of rising oil prices, and increasing numbers of people realised there were no soft options left for New Zealand, Mr Chapman said.

“As. a nation we must

take risks and make sacrifices if we want to take advantage of the opportunities ahead.”

Mr Chapman’s report, which he will present to the National Party’s conference in Auckland later this month, was released for publication today. Mr Chapman said that a return to a Labour government would mean that many of the present Administration’s energy and export growth plans would stall or stop, causing a return to low productivity, low return on investment, and declining income per head of population.

“As a nation we are at one of those critical points in history which requires determination and resolve to make difficult decisions that have to be made, be-

cause the oil crisis will destroy our way of life if we do not respond urgently to that challenge,” he said. Mr Chapman paid tribute to the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) saying that a Prime Minister who could act “swiftly and decisively” was most important to the nation’s continued wellbeing. “The realism of our Parliamentary team in dealing with the issues that require hard decisions and a tougher approach' to internal regulations and licensing concepts has been most encouraging and a proper reflection of this party’s philosophical approach to the government of our country,” Mr Chapman said .

He expressed concern about a campaign launched in 1977 to finance a $3.08. million project for a new party headquarters in Wellington. He revealed that $350,000 had been raised so far. While this was satisfactory, Mr Chapman said, it had' come from electorates and divisions where a real effort had been made.

“There are other electorates, however, which have not made the effort and, frankly, I am disappointed that some do not feel that it is necessary to pull their weight,” Mr Chapman said.