Does party mirror Mrs Kerens?

Press, 17 March 1982, Page 27

Does party mirror Mrs Kerens?

.Ann Hercus was one of the first to declare herself a "social democrat." but she considers that the Labour Party as a whole fits that label. She sees it as a party which has more in common with the Social Democrats of Germany and Sweden than with the Labour Party inBritain. Her own recent declaration that she was a social democrat — a reformer, not a revolutionary — stemmed from a growing realisation that many voters nurtured a number of myths about Labour politicians. For example, it was widely believed that Labour favoured further nationalisation of industry, whereas in fact, she says, this is no longer the party's policy — all the desirable nationalising was done very early in the piece in New Zealand. In fact, in the same speech in which she nailed her ideological colours to the mast. Mrs Hercus warned against the growing trend towards Cabinet government, monopoly capitalism, and "dictatorial" trade unions. She wants to see diffusion of power in all those areas, and calls herself a "decentraliser." But she does not reject socialism altogether. The socialist element of her social democrat philosophy she describes as a determination to achieve as much equity and justice as possible in all spheres of life — by democratic means, but also through government intervention where necessary. She sees the New Zealand Labour Party as a social democratic party with characteristics of its own — ‘a unique philosophy that reflects our kind of nation and the characteristics of New Zealanders." Labour's shift from its earlier, more socialistic. stance she sees as a shift "from impossible ideas to facing reality." There is no need for the’sort of ferment that is going on in the British Labour Party, she. feels, because the concept of class struggle is irrelevant here. Mrs Hercus points out that although Labour gave the

lead in welfare legislation, the welfare state has been confirmed bv both main parties. "That says something." she says. "It's a narrow political spectrum here compared to some other countries. We don't have political extremes dominating the political spectrum. There's only a minute handful of extremists here." One trend in the Labour Party which has contributed to its "social democratic" image is the tendency to select doctors. lawyers, teachers and academics as candidates. rather than people from the rest of the workforce. Ann Hercus. who - like her close colleagues David Caygill and Geoffrey Palmer - has a law degree, sees this as an inevitable consequence of New Zealand's early start with tertiary education. A high proportion of New Zealanders have tertiary qualifications. She would like to see more candidates selected from those with long experience in the trade union movement, but says not many have come forward in recent years. Of those who have, many have been selected. "It's rather like women - they haven't come forward in huge numbers. But as a result of party policy, we've now got six women M.P.s." Mrs Hercus herself had to fight against the myth that women are seen as an electoral liability. "When I first stood for selection some in the electorate thought it might be better to have a man." She still has the impression that a woman is. expected to be twice as good as a man if she wants to succeed. So how good does a woman have to be to become party leader and potential Prime Minister 9 "I d like to think that New Zealand society is mature enough to contemplate, without terror or hysterics, a woman prime minister in either party — at some stage." is Mrs Hercus’s considered reply. "Whether I get a chance to test that hypo-

thesis is a different matter. The choice will he made by caucus, and the Labour Party caucus would regard merit and experience as prime factors in the selection of a leader." She sees the competition as being rather stiff. "At this stage, with only a three-year apprenticeship. I wouldn't regard myself as having enough experience. That's

not modesty, it's a fact." But she adds that any M P. r who does not have a secret 1 fantasy of rising in the party s ranks would be an excepi tional one. Labour traditionally re-ex-i amines the leadership every s three years. The next time r that comes up will be in - February. 1983. and Mrs g Hercus sees "no need for that s to be accelerated."

As a former teacher, daughter of a teacher, and wife of a teacher (her husband John Hercus is director of the Christchurch Polytechnic) Mrs Hercus would naturally have been interested in the education shadow portfolio. but recognises that Mr Russell Marshall is "superb" in that job. To her own new shadow portfolio of health. Mrs Hercus brings her experience as a member of the Commerce Commission. ’ which she thinks will be useful in understanding the "sometimes chaotic" health mix of central government, local bodies, private enterprise and charities. Having dealt with the big killer diseases such as tuberculosis. the health system should now shift some ot itk resources from institutional health care to community health care, says Mrs Hercus. She wants to see more health education of families, medical teams working in the community, and support of the sick in their .own homes. These avenues would get the best value for the tax dollar. She is concerned at the growth of private health insurance (she is not a policyholder). which she believes leads to a vicious circle of taxpayers' subsidising private health services, public health services getting less money and running down, and still more money going to private services. As a social democrat. Ann Hercus’s political heroes are the West German Willy Brandt and the Swede. Ola've Palm. Also in her pantheon are Michael Savage. Norman Kirk and Bill Rowling - all for different reasons. "I certainly don't admire Maggy Thatcher." she says emphatically. "She's neither a good economist nor a good feminist." (She sees herself as a "plodding moderate feminist" in the middle stream of the feminist movement.) If Ann Hercus should become the first lady Prime Minister of New Zealand, what could we expect - what does she want to achieve 9

"I would like to see what I regard as essential elements in the democratic process extended - the powers of Cabinet curbed, and those of Parliament extended." she savs.

"1 want to see select committees travel widely so tnat submissions on bills would get more community input. "1 want to see the concept of referenda explored and used." (She held her own referendum in Lyttelton, on the legal drinking age.)

"I would like io see the processes oi democracy taught specifically in schools so that people are informed about how the system works and can participate.

“In the economic field I am extremely concerned about the philosophy of 'Think Big’ and its inapplicability to the New Zealand economy. Our strength as a private enterprise economy lies in (he specialist 'skills of hundreds of thousands of smaller businessmen. They are being starved of. resources which are going to big enterprises with massive taxpayer subsidies. 1 would like to see a more balanced development of ih.e New Zealand economy - a mix of small and large.

"In the social field. I believe '.hat the welfare slate concept needs a giant overhaul. No citizen should be denied access to the fundamental rights of education, help in lime of need, and health care. But the welfare state is clearly not now delivering as it was meant to. and major inequalities and anomalies are showing »P "But maybe most of all what 1 want for New Zealand is a growing tolerance and understanding of not only our own needs but our neighbours' needs." Mrs Hercus believes that politicians have a special responsibility because they play a major role in shaping opinions, and may be to blame for infecting the populace with cynicism. "We have damaged our own cause." she says, "and should try to act and talk in such a way that this cynicism starts to disappear."'