P.M. says doubts in reports resolved

Press, 20 November 1981, Page 2

P.M. says doubts in reports resolved

NZPA political reporter Doubts in departmental reports about the Government’s growth strategy planning were based on manpower, technology, and marketing aspects, said the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) yesterday. He specifically excluded investment resources, which the Labour leader (Mr Rowling) asserts is the basis for departmental advice that it is impossible to proceed with the three big “think big” projects at the same time. Mr Muldoon said that the matters in doubt in the reports had been resolved, the reports had outlined options, and ■ issues for the Cabinet economic committee. “Questions _ were raised, doubts if you like . But finally we got there," he said: Asked if the reports suggested there could be competition for manpower and investment resources, Mr Muldoon said, “Obviously any report does suggest there is competition, doesn't it?” Asked if they suggested that timetables should be changed or delayed, he said “No, they don’t.” , > • . Mr Muldoon dismissed as "utter nonsense” assertions by Mr Rowling yesterday that the reports showed that the growth projects during their life would mean a $4OO million to $BOO million loss for New Zealand. • Mr Rowling said yesterday that release, of the official reports of the “think big” strategy would destroy completely the Government’s

growth strategy, according to a Press Association message from Timaru. Interviewed concerning the admission by Mr Muldoon that the reports did exist. Mr Rowling said, “He will not release them because he knows very well they destroy completely the myth he is trying to spread among New Zealanders at present. “He has denied for a week now that they existed. Apparently this lapse of memory has left him. He now should acknowledge the reports. . “Let him put 'the reports out and put everything beyond doubt,” Mr Rowling said. From Wellington the president of the Public Service Association, Mr D. H. Thorp, said- Television New Zealand had breached its normal procedures to kill a news item critical Of the Government’s “think big” policy. The decision of T.V.N.Z.’s director-general/ 1 Mr Alan Martin, not to run it had caused widespread dismay and concern among television journalists, Mr Thorp said. The item, prepared by a senior journalist, David Nicholson. was to have led the T.V.N.Z. Network News on Wednesday evening. •Mr Nicholson had spoken to people who had seen reports prepared by three Government departments and sent to the Cabinet which had questioned the economic feasibility of the way the Government intended to-im-plement its “think big”' projects, Mr Thorp said. . Mr Nicholson regarded his sources as impeccable and as a senior journalist had frequently put news items ‘to air on the same basis. None of those had been challenged in this way in. the past. “Indeed, just last month, Mr Bruce Crossan, head of news, current affairs, and sport, had issued all staff with a memorandum which said people of Mr Nicholson's seniority were entitled to use reliable but unnamed sources,” Mr Thorp said.