Leader attacks 'nerve’

Press, 21 November 1981, Page 6

Leader attacks 'nerve’

PA.. Auckland The National Party had "a nerve" t to say it was a private enterprise government, said the leader of Social .Credit (Mr Beetham) in Wellsford last evening. Speaking to 170 people in

the Rodney College, hall, he said private enterprise had been strangled by the’Government’s financing policies and by speculators getting finance and taking advantage of the country’s resources at the expense;of the private sector.-

The Government had a nerve to claim it stood- for private enterprise.. It stood for no such thing.. “It hasn’t done for a long time.” he said. Instead, it stood for a privileged enterprise for speculators, financiers, and monopolies. To, applause Mr Beethari said: “Just look at the way the Government has put every conceivable obstacle.it could in front of that Sky bus venture.” Private enterprise should not’have to go to the High Court to get off the ground. Private enterprise was facing: a pro-socialist. type of government and might as well be forgotten. Earlier, Mr Beetham arrived at the hall amid a cavalcade of local cars decked out with green-and-goid streamers and flashing lights. On unemployment, Mr Beetham predicted that the numbers , out of work’ would be far worse nexUyear. Skilled people had emigrated overseas because New Zealand could not absorb their skills, he said. s “There are 125.000 New

Zealanders in Sydney alone, which makes Sydney our foiirih-largest city.” Criticising the National Party’s “think. big” strategies, Mr Beetham said New Zealand should concentrate on doing what it was best at industries such as farming.. forestry, fishing, and tourism.