General Election

Press, 23 November 1981, Page 16

General Election

Sir,—ln response to a notice in two local papers I and two of my friends cycled to the corner of Frank Street and Papanui Road to hear Brian Keeley speak at 11.30 a.m. on Saturday, November 7. Twenty minutes of waiting produced one National Party supporter’s Daimler complete with party campaign stickers, but no Mr Keeley. There was no notice saying the meeting was postponed or cancelled. As a new voter I am left wondering: is this the way the National Party keeps its promises?— Yours, etc., STEPHEN MANGIN. November 8, 1981.

[Brian S. Keeley, National Party candidate for Papanui, replies: “My street corner meeting at the corner of Frank Street and Papanui Road was my thirty-third in 81, and I fully appreciate that it is very important to be punctual at the advertised time. Before, this meeting, I have not kept excellent time, in fact had managed at most meetings to arrive before the scheduled'time so as to introduce myself personally to those waiting and at times to knock on a few doors. On the morning of November 7, I had unfortunately been delayed at the previous street cornetmeeting where I was punctual, and had met people starting at 11 a.m. However, at times it is human that the best-laid plans can sometimes go astray. Notwithstanding the delay because of some very good questions from some interested voters at the doorstep of a house in Bennett Street, I also experienced a loss of sound in the sound system of my campaign car. I certainly arrived at the corner of Frank Street and Papanui Road late, but. still spoke briefly at this corner. Your correspondent has my apology and if he wishes I will call personally to visit him if he would like to phone me on 526-809 or l am sure I can slot in an extra street meeting especially for him either back at the corner of Frank Street and Papanui Road or for his convenience outside his own home.” | ’

Sir,—The laughter in J. F. Garvey’s politicial pot pourri (November 13) has a hollow ring about it. He apparently approves of the incompetence and bigotry of the present National Administration, but raises his hackles in horror at the very thought of its far Left counter part, not daring to notice how one is setting the stage for the other. His remarks on Mrs Hercus’s views on consumer issues are interesting. Doe she mean to imply that profiteering is an individual’s private business, or that all trading ventures are paragons of honesty, and that the public is in need of no protection whatsoever? Finally, is it not a bit thin to blame the Labour team of 1972-75 for today's difficulties. I am surprised that he did not thorw in the 1951 waterfront dispute for good measure. — Yours, etc DOUG GILLING- . WORTH. November 18. 1981. Sir.—The excellent article by Karren Beanland (“The Press," November 19) re “centre party” will help to put Social Credit in a clearer perspective for a great many people and so will the comments of a political scientist, Mr Alan Mcßobie, that “Social Credit is shaping up to be a realistic alternative which is attractive to the general population.” Social Credit may now be closer to ordinary New Zealanders than the other main parties. The international swing to the centre in politics was shown by the recent Croydon by-election in the United Kingdom where the Social Democrat-Liberal coalition, won .with 13.800 votes, the Conservative was second with 10,546 and the Labour candidate third with 8967. Could the same result happen here on

November 28? The credibility of National’s so-called “growth strategy” dwindles by the hour and likewise “Think Big” with a possible SBOOM loss. National should recut the “political stencil” to “Big Think." Voters certainly will. Hurrah for Social Credit—Yours, etc., B. L. RAMSBOTTOMISHERWOOD. November 19, 1981.

Sir,—Who does not know which party to vote for? I will vote for the party that will change the unjust “no-fault” policy in the Accident Compensation Law. I want that party to include any disability caused by “permanent sickness.” Then it should be called Accident and Sickness Disability Compensation. Why has not one of the three fiercely campaigning parties mentioned reforming the Accident Compensation Commission? — Yours, etc.,

E. WEBSTER. November 20, 1981

Sir,—l disagree with David D. H. Lindup (November 18, 1981) on three out of four scores. It is understandable that he does not wish: to waste his time viewing the sub-intel-ligent and pathetic party political broadcast whose actors make a habit of dressing in Kiwi suits. The remaining three of the four major political parties, however, are perhaps worth listening to, and, for the most part, are to be commended for their presentation. — Yours, etc., J. D. ADDISON. November 20, 1981.