National eyes Tasman, Timaru

Press, 28 May 1983, Page 6

National eyes Tasman, Timaru

National could win the Tasman and Timaru seats in next year’s General Election, the party’s president, Mrs Sue Wood, told the annual conference of the Canterbury-Westland division of the National Party at Lincoln College last evening. ' The National Party could have won Tasman in 1978 if the Labour candidate had not been the then Opposition leader, Mr Rowling. After his retirement the seat was winnable for National, she said.

The boundary changes had also brought the Timaru electorate within the National Party’s reach. Mrs Wood called on the 185 delegates and observers

at the conference to work “on the ground” for the 1984 election. “We are making our economy more competitive because only internationally compettitive industry can guarantee permanent jobs. Short-term solutions, are mirages that create false dreams,” she said. Earlier, the divisional chairman, Mr Jim Gerard, criticised the “plain bloodymindedness” of some elements of the trade union movement. “The Kawerau dispute is a perfect example of this. It has been total economic madness. The loss of millions of dollars in wages and lost sales. A disaster for all."

Mr Gerard also criticised the Federation of Labour’s claim for a $2O a week wage rise. The opening session of the conference, which will continue today, passed remits supporting the extension of the wage-price freeze and calling for tax relief for low income earners. The delegates also called on the Government to put funding emphasis on pre-school and primary education. A remit asking for a full, independent inquiry into the meat industry was also passed. One speaker said the task force which has just been set up was not sufficient because it was not independent.