Mr Muldoon rules out snap poll

Press, 27 February 1981, Page 1

Mr Muldoon rules out snap poll

PA Wellington The Government would be returned with a “consider a b 1 y increased” majority if an election were to be held next week, said the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon), yesterday.

But he did not intend to hold one, he said.

In a snap election the Labour Party would be seen as the party of the trade unions, he said. The Minister of Police (Mr Couch) had had no other than a personal reason for telling a Wairarapa electorate meeting on

Wednesday evening that an election might be just round the corner, Mr Muldoon said. It had not been discussed in the Cabinet, or in the caucus, “or indeed by me with anyone, and I do not at this moment have any thought of a General Election,” he said. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Rowling) said yesterday that he was ready to fight an election on the “real issues” rather than the “emotional issues” Mr Muldoon wanted to fight over. He specified long-term issues such .as the cost of living and unemployment.

The Social Credit leader (Mr Beetham) said the

league was ready to fight an election any time. The electoral rolls were now the best New Zealand had ever had available nine months before the likely date of the General Election, said the Minister of Justice (Mr McLay). The recent roll revision had resulted in 86 per cent of estimated voters being-on the new electoral rolls, which would be released next week. ,

Mr McLay said that about 285,000 people had yet to enrol. The rolls will be published -on March 2 and be available for inspection at post offices, courthouses, libraries and citizens advice bureaux.