Mr Jones supported after his stand

Press, 9 December 1983, Page 2

Mr Jones supported after his stand

PA Auckland The National member of Parliament, Mr Dail Jones, got the backing of his electorate chairman yesterday “for standing up for what he believes.”

“The National Party policy is that individuals are allowed to express independent views,” said Mrs Maureen Eardley-Wilmot, the West Auckland National Party chairman, yesterday.

Party policy “does not lay down that members of Parliament have to follow Government policy,” she said.

“Dail is saying that we have a little blue book of principles and he thinks we should stick to it.”

She did not think the party was moving away from party philosophy and said she would be concerned if it did.

Asked if she thought the Prime Minister’s economic policy was a move away,

she said, “I am not prepared to comment on that.” She confirmed that Mr Jones had telephoned her late on Monday evening and told her he was voting for an amendment that aimed to let “the free enterprise market prevail rather than have more Government intervention.”

She had no time to discuss it with him as she had not seen the bill.

Mrs Eardley-Wilmot said that local executive members had differing views on what Mr Jones had done, but all supported him as a member of Parliament. He was an extremely hard worker in the electorate and had much support “for standing up for what he believes.”

However, some National Party members think Mr Jones may be challenged in his bid for the West Auckland nomination because of his latest opposition to Government economic policies. The. party’s West Auckland electorate vice-chair-man, Mr E. Bolton, said last evening that it was sad Mr Jones had spoken out against the Prime Minister, Mr Muldoon.

Emphasising that he was speaking personally, Mr Bolton said, “Here we are, a (Government) majority of one. He (Mr Jones) is the key figure. It is beyond belief. “The trouble we had in the last election in getting him in. We went through all that trauma and we are looking forward to getting him in again ... and this will make it very difficult to win in West Auckland.

“He (Mr Jones) may think it will make it easier. He may be right, but I don’t think so.” Mr Bolton said of Mr Jones, “He is a good guy. You would not find a better member of Parliament, but I cannot support him in this. I would think he will be challenged (for the West Auckland nomination).” Four Muldoon supporters had telephoned him to say they were sad that Mr Jones had voted against the mortgage interest rate regulations.

The electorate executive would probably meet next week to discuss the situation. Mr Bolton said he would be surprised if no such meeting was held.