Opponents ‘trying to emulate National’

Press, 18 November 1981, Page 6

Opponents ‘trying to emulate National’

PA ' New Plymouth The Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) said last evening that his political opponents had departed from their basic principles. Labour’s leader (Mr Rowling) had not mentioned one word about socialism in his election campaign, and Social Credit’s Mr Beetham had not , talked about the Major Douglas financial theory, Mr Muldoon told a capacity audience of 1150 at New Plymouth. Hundreds were turned away. Mr Muldoon said Mr Rowling said Mr Rowling had claimed he led a socialist party “that believes in the common ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange.” But, he said, Mr Rowling was trying to get the votes of the small businessman, and posing as a capitalist. “Not once has he said, ‘I believe in Socialism.’ Labour would give you whatever you ask, a campaign of bribery — but not once has he mentioned socialism.” Mr Beetham “has not once mentioned Major Douglas’s A plus B theory. Not once has he got up on a public platform and said, ‘I am a disciple of Major Douglas.’” “What we have got are two parties, each departing from its own basic principles, trying to emulate the successful National Party,” Mr Muldoon said.

Producing charts to illustrate the cost of imports and exports in recent years, and the cost of imported oil, Mr Muldoon said National had kept imports down'and: increased''exports. The oil shocks had hit harder in more recent ..years, and by rights should have meant .160,000 unemployed. Various economists said that $1 million a year in overseas funds was needed to support 160 jobs. Oil was now costing $lOOO million a year more and that theoretically meant that 160,000 -jobs should have “gone down the drain.” Mr Muldoon attacked Mr Rowling’s. comments about unemployment figures. Mr Rowling had said that unemployment would be

shown up by the 1981 census to be more than 100,000, but the figure was revealed on Monday as 60,860, Mr Mul?doon said. Mr Rowling had also said the Government had known for some time that the figure would be about 100,000. Mr Muldoon said New Zealand’s unemployment was still ,at a lower percentage than other countries of its type. ./ ' • The census showed that 4.57 per cent of • the total labour-force said they were unemployed and looking for a. job. There was another 1.8 per cent in special work. • The figures for the United Kingdom were • 11.3; the United States, .7.5; Canada, 8.2; and Australia, 5.8.