P.M. sets relaxed tone

Press, 26 July 1980, Page 6

P.M. sets relaxed tone

■ By ’ < ■• PHILIP WORTHINGTON A relaxed and wise-crack-ing Prime Minister brought to an end the first day of the National Party conference in Auckland as he chaiped a panel of six of his Ministers who fielded questions from delegates on a wide range of topics. During discussion on casinos, Mr Muldoon said that the surge of interest in casinos showed him as Minister of Finance- that he “was not yet taking enough from you.” To a delegate who directed a question to the Minister of Education (Mr • Wellington), Mr Wellington quipped; “Seeing your name’s not Wilson, Mr Wellington will reply to you.” (A reference to the student leader, Mr S. Wilson, to whom Mr Wellington will not talk because of his political attitudes.) . The, relaxation shown by Mr Muldoon typified the first day of the conference which

showed delegates to be in a buoyant mood of confidence and good humour. The opening of the conference was preceded by a standing ovation for Mr and Mrs Muldoon and the party president (Mr G. A. Chapman) and his wife as they entered the Auckland Town Hall where the conference is being held. Mr Chapman’s warning to delegates against complacency did little to diminish their confidence and, although there was some difference of opinion on at least one of the remits discussed yesterday afternoon—that dealing with employment opportunities—there was no rancour. Highlights of the afternoon debate were the overwhelming support given , to an endorsement of the herbicide 2,4,5-T and the equally unanimous support for the introduction of FM radio. This last remit brought!

a marked preference from the delegates that private radio rather than Radio New Zealand should be encouraged to introduce FM, reflecting the “private enterprise” mood of delegates. Delegates treated the students’ protest which greeted them on their return after dinner with vague amusement and although the protestors continued vociferously outside the [ Town Hall, not a sound could be heard from them in the auditorium. Inside Mr Muldoon was introducing his own “rump Parliament,” the Ministers of Housing (Mr Quigley), Justice (Mr McLay), Education (Mr Wellington), Energy (Mr Birch), Maori Affairs (Mr, Couch),, and Tourism (Mrl Cooper). i These, Mr Muldoon said,] were “the bottom end of Cabinet.” “If you’d seen the top end in action; you’d be amazed.”; he said. j The panel discussion with|

these Ministers drew direct and uncompromising questions, which received direct and uncompromising answers except in one instance. Mr Muldoon was asked what the rate of return would be to New Zealand on the second South Island smelter, “We’re not going to tell you that, but it’s a good deal,” Mr Muldoon said. The delegates finished the day satisfied with the progress of the conference, although the real meat will not be reached until today. This morning several more remits will be dealt with by the full conference, which will hear also addresses from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Overseas Trade (Mr Taiboys), and the Minister of Agriculture (Mr MacIntyre). The conference will spend the afternoon in remit commitees debating further remits before the dinner and Mr Muldoon’s address at Trillo’s this evening.