Mr Maclntyre may retire this year as Deputy P.M.

Press, 9 August 1982, Page 1

Mr Maclntyre may retire this year as Deputy P.M.

By

BRIAR WHITEHEAD

A ' feeling is growing among National members of Parliament that the deputy leader of their party (Mr Maclntyre) will retire" from the pos : t towards the end of the year. Mr Maclntyre has kept close counsel on his intentions. It is thought that only he and the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) know, but it is evident that both are receiving signals that Mr MacIntyre should step down, and that the new deputy needs a while to settle in.

Interest in a replacement for Mr Maclntyre was high at the National Party conference in Hamilton. In the drive for the urban seats, and the disillusioned National voter who left the fold to vote Social Credit at the 1981 General Electon, Mrs Sue Wood was elected president of the party. Delegates called that the “first step”, in the “new era.”. Mr Muldoon said it showed that the party was “moving with the times.’’ It was understood that other changes had to follow.

Mr Maclntyre is now 67. This year he underwent heart surgery. His doctors want him to go easy. He became a member of Parliament 22 years ago and there is a definite feeling in the party that he now represents the era the party is leaving behind.

The speculation in the National Party now is less, "Is Mr Maclntyre going?” than. “Who will replace him?"

Most say that Mr Muldoon will pick the time, but that he might not pick the man. Most view his man as the Minister of Energy (Mr Birch), the fourth-ranking Minister in the Cabinet.

But the feeling is widespread that Mr, Muldoon is

too much the master of Mr Birch, that his public image is low key and lacks warmth, and that his hands are full with the energy projects, which are also his present reward.

There is a growing swell of support both in the caucus and in the party organisation for the Minister of Transport (Mr Gair). Mr Gair is conscious of it, but is doing no visible lobbying. In the second step towards the urban seats (the Labour stronghold) and the liberal voter, who defected to Social Credit in protest at the last election, the party feels that George Gair is the man.

Mr Gain is 56 and a communicator. He worked for years as a journalist and a public relations consultant. He entered Parliament 16 years ago. He is articulate, and according to his colleagues “gets the job done," He has been a Cabinet Minister of nine portfolios. He supported Mr Derek Quigley in the challenge to Mr Muldoon in late 1980, and is not a supporter of Mr Muldoon’s style, but he is said to enjoy working as part of a team.

He represents an urban electorate on Auckland’s progressive North Shore, and is thought to have the feel for the party approach needed to win back the urban seats.

Generally the party tries to avoid a leader and deputy leader from the same district, but in this case, the alternatives are believed "to throw up greater difficulties than the geographical one. The South Island options are Mr Cooper, loyal, conservative, intuitive, a roughhewn private enterpriser, member for Otago and Minister of Overseas Trade, but lacking in appeal to the

cities, the anti-Muldoon faction, and those withdrawing from the pragmatic approach; Mr Elworthy, member for Waitaki and Minister of Forests, too young and inexperienced; and Mr Talbot, member for Ashburton and Minister of Tourism, also too inexperienced.

The Minister of Labour (Mr Bolger) from the rural seat of Taumarunui, is regarded as too conservative, and Mr McLay, Birkenhead, Auckland, the Minister of Justice, too young at 37. Mr Quigley, now out of the race, was never believed by the Canterbury-Westland division to have been demoted by Mr Muldoon in an attempt to pre-empt any bid for the deputy leadership. Mr Quigley says it is untrue and unfortunate that that rumour spread. Mr Maclntyre is expected to step down from office for health reasons, and to make way for a new deputy somewhere near Christmas. He is respected too much to be challenged.

Some observers think two years is needed for the new deputy to settle in, and by then it will be October, 1984. Others say that a new deputy by Christmas means that MrMuldoon is gearing towards an early election, but he shows every sign of sticking the full term out. A snap election with a majority of one, and two new urban seats, is too risky. It is also speculated that Mr Muldoon may leave the Parliamentary party after a successful 1984 election. Not liking losing, he is expected to go while he is still the winner, perhaps to serve in an international capacity. At that time, it is thought that Cabinet Ministers, too young and inexperienced now, will be ready for office.