Sir John’s warning

Press, 24 October 1980, Page 1

Sir John’s warning

PA Wellington If Mr Muldoon did not change, his party would not survive ■- electorally, said a former National Prime Minister, Sir John Marshall, in a television interview last evening. “A house divided against itself will not stand,” he quoted from the Bible. “And that applies to a party as well.” “He (Mr Muldoon) has fought very hard and fiercely and managed to subdue members of the caucus who a week ago wanted to see him out,” said Sir John, who was supplanted by Mr Muldoon in- July, 1974, as Leader of the Opposition by a caucus vote soon after his return from an overseas trip. Asked if he admired Mr Muldoon’s action, Sir John said that he did hot admire it but it was certainly successful. .

The divisions that had arisen in the party were not new — they had been there for. years — but they had now to come to a head. The party now had to try to heal the wounds. The divisions were deep in the caucus, the party, and New Zealand generally. Questioned further Sir John said that Mr Muldoon was the kind of man one either admired or did not like very much. But he would have to unite the National Party if it was to survive.

There were not many members of the caucus who were ready to stand up to M r Muldoon •• and those who did, did not get very far. There should be more of the kind of discussion the party used to have where everybody spoke as an equal but Mr ’ Muldoon dominated both the ‘Cabinet and the caucus.. ' t <