Stronger stance on pairs sought

Press, 26 February 1983, Page 3

Stronger stance on pairs sought

PA Wellington Social Credit has called for a strong Labour stance on pairs and serious economic debate, as it welcomed Parliament's announced opening date of April 7. The relatively early date was announced on Thursday by the Prime Minister (Mr Muldqon), who said he wanted to put the new Labour Party line-up “on show,” as soon as possible, “to see what kind of confusion they are in.” The deputy leader of the Social Credits Party, Mr G. T. Knapp, called yesterday on both main parties to put aside “party political pointscoring,” and debate economic matters seriously during the early weeks of the new session. “The most alarming aspect of our Parliament is the extent to which it fails to provide an effective forum to debate economic issues accurately and openly,” he said. “Too often debates degenerate into petty party positions with common sense

drowning in political expediency.” He also called for a “new commitment,” from Labour, congratulating Mr Lange on his statements regarding the pairing system, the traditional method by which Labour withdraws votes one-for-one with absent Government members. Mr Lange has warned the three National members planning to visit South Africa that they should be back in time to vote after Parliament opened, or the Government might fall. His Chief Whip,' Mr J. L. Hunt, said later that pairs would not be granted for the three. Mr Knapp said that Social Credit was concerned about the ease with which Labour Whips granted pairs for most of last year. He said the public would not tolerate such incidents as one last year when three Labour members went to a cinema during an evening debate. Mr Knapp said Social Credit would “continue to keep the Labour and National parties honest.”