Claims of National collapse ‘ridiculous’

Press, 10 January 1984, Page 2

Claims of National collapse ‘ridiculous’

New Zealand Party claims that National Party organisation in two Canterbury electorates has collapsed were ridiculous, said the chairman of the Canter-bury-Westland division of the National Party, Mr Jim Gerard, yesterday.

The claim was made in a statement released by the New Zealand Party spokesman, Mr Bob Jones, last week. It predicted that in a November, 1984, General Election, the New Zealand Party would win 40 seats, Labour 38 seats, and National 17 seats, with Social Credit winning no seats at ail. Mr Jones said that the National Party organisation was “virtually defunct” in

more than 30 electorates throughout the country, including Fendalton and Marlborough. However, Mr Gerard, who has been holidaying in Wanaka and saw the report only yesterday, said the suggestion was ridiculous.

The Fendalton electorate organisation was the strongest it had been. The electorate had a membership about 3000, and was among the four strongest National Party seats in the country. Marlborough was also in good shape, he said.

Mr Gerard said he had heard of only a “very, very few” National Party members defecting to the New Zealand Party. About six people from Fendalton had

joined the New Zealand Party.

Last year National Party membership in the Canter-bury-Westland division was the best it had been in a non-election year, he said. It was far too soon to predict how the New Zealand Party would perform at the next election. A body of opinion felt that the party’s support had peaked too early and would trail off before the, election.

Mr Gerard said that he was not worried about the level of support for the New Zealand. Party at this stage, although it would be cause for concern if it continued by the middle of the year.