Statements concern Socred organiser

Press, 12 November 1981, Page 10

Statements concern Socred organiser

Two statements by former National Party candidates in “The Press" should sound a warning on the way National saw the democratic process, said the Social Credit South Island organiser, Mr J. A. Wright. Mr Wright noted that Mr Peter Malone, who is now Mayor of Nelson, had criticised “professional protesters who don’t give a damn for the rights of the majority." “So do the 60 per cent of voters who voted against the present Government in 1978," said Mr Wright. A former National Prime Minister, Sir John Marshall, had expressed concern about electoral reform in an address at Masterton. Sir John had praised the present system of two-party Government “with a strong Opposition” and a three-year term. However, Mr Wright said proportional representation was needed in New Zealand. It would allow minority groups to be heard in Parliament and would lead to moderation and consensus in government. An Upper House could lead to an extension of the present Parliamentary threeyear term, which was one of the prime causes of our “boom and bust" economy, he said.