Christchurch ‘disgrace’ to National Party

Press, 15 February 1982, Page 1

Christchurch ‘disgrace’ to National Party

Christchurch was a disgrace to the National Party because it held only one seat in the city, said the Dominion' chairman of the Young Nationals. Mr P. T. Kiely, at the week-end.

"National has a major task before it to win back the urban liberal vote." Mr Kiely told the annual meeting of the Canterbury-Westland Division of the Young Nationals, at Akaroa. "The 1981 election has resulted in National becoming almost a country party with only Auckland’ having more than one National city member of Parliament." he said.

Mr Kiely, an Auckland solicitor, told members that the party had unfairly dismissed Christchurch "as a

Labour city. The Government had to appease the urban voter through immediate taxation reform and other economic measures.

It was up to the Young Nationals to ensure that the party emphasised the indiviual, small government, and a private enterprise economic system. '' J

The members for Selwyn. Ruth Richardson, and Fendalton. Mr Philip Burdon. attended the meeting and emphasised the rold of the Young Nationals in the public debate,on tax reform. Divisional officers elected at the meeting were: Chairman. Mr Donald Suttie (Fendalton): vice-chairman. Mr Alastair Bell (Yaldhursl). and policy chairman. Mr Stuart Boag (Rangiora).