Labour to begin 1981 fight in Chch

Press, 12 September 1980, Page 1

Labour to begin 1981 fight in Chch

Parliamentary reporter

The Labour’ Party will start its 1981 election campaign in Christchurch next month'— the first of a series of rallies up and down the country. Announcing the Labour ■campaign yesterday, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Rowling) and the party president (Mr J. P. Anderton) said different facets of policy would be unveiled at- each rally. In Christchurch the party’s youth employment policy would be presented,— and with very little change this would be its 1981 platform. r The rallies would run . in conjunction with -a campaign for 23- seats held by National with' majorities of less than 1500. Active campaig ncommittees were now working with candidates already selected in 17 of those seats. At the same time Mr Anderton announced the launching of an initially “in-house” Labour,. Party newspaper with' a bimonthly circulation of up to 60,000,- and the signing of a" ’contract for a $1.3 million’.party headquarters building of six storeys in Willis Street, Wellington. Building would begin this month. All floors, had been sold or leased, z .; "V ’ ?. ' Mr Anderton said' he. and the deputy leader, of the Labour Party (Mr- D. R. Lange) would study party campaign methods in the United States and Australia next month. Mr Anderton will, study for four weeks the Presidential election at the invitation of the United States Government. Mr Lange will then watch the Labour Party campaign in Australia. On the rallies, Mr Row-

ling said each would he launched by him, followed up by Mr Lange and Labour members of Parliament. ■ ' ■' . ■ ' ' * . “We do' not intend to hold one rally then leave a vacuum behind,” Mr Rowling said. The party’s campaign strategy was prepared before the East Coast Bays by-election, but was without doubt the most posi-. five action the Opposition could take in response, he said. Mr Rowling said the Social Credit victory in East Coast Bays had taught the Labour Party three things: the need to clearly, enunciate policy to - a confused and unhappy electorate,. .the.. 'need of adequate human, resources to; .conduct a successful campaign, and of plenty of lead time. Asked whether the Labour Party had sufficient financial sources to campaign, launch a newspaper, and sign a contract on a $1.3 million building, Mr Anderton said the party had always paid , its way at election time, and that it had enthusiasm and organising skills enough to raise the money. The rally costs would be picked ,up by the -constituencies affected, Mr Rowling said. * The Christchurch campaign will be on October. 29. Other campaigns planned include: Rotorua, December. 10; South Auckland, mid-February; Invercargill, March 11; Napier, April 8; Gisborne, May 27; Whangarei, June 17; Blenheim, July 8; Hamilton,. July 29; Oamaru, August 19; New Ply mouth, September 9; Masterton, September 30; Hutt Valley, October 21.