Party faithfuls told not to ‘blow it’

Press, 26 May 1984, Page 1

Party faithfuls told not to ‘blow it’

By

KARREN BEANLAND,

Nelson The Mayor of Nelson, Mr Peter Malone, has called on National Party members not to “blow it” by criticism from within the party. Speaking at the official opening of the National Party’s Canterbury-West-land divisional conference in Nelson last evening, Mr Malone said that somebody had to tell the public that discipline and restraint were necessary. “I have great confidence in the common sense of the ordinary Kiwi, too often the silent majority. Most know deep down that the policies and the restraints required by the National Government are the best hope for them and their children in a deeply troubled world,” he said. A former National Party delegate and candidate, Mr Malone said that only the Government could take the

steps needed to reduce inflation by fixing wages and prices. Yet everybody had blamed the Government, including “too many selfish people inside the National Party.” They had homed in on the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Muldoon. Mr Malone said he had little sympathy with the “free marketeers” who criticised the Government when it stepped in to control interest rates. “With inflation down and wages fixed, there was a responsibility on the money marketeers to reduce interest rates. Sir Robert asked them to, but it was too little and too late, so why blame the Government when they stepped in and set the standard?” he said. Mr Malone said that society was undisciplined, unstable, and selfish. It could only become stable and take advantage of the opportunities available if

there was a National Government with a free enterprise philosophy. He said he was an acknowledged liberal, but he had come to have a tremendous respect for the Prime Minister, who was not perfect, but he was a pragmatist and a “superb politician who felt deeply for his country.” “He knew what had to be done and he had guts and courage to do it. The courage to publicly support that seems sadly lacking,” Mr Malone said. About 225 delegates and observers are attending the conference which is being held outside Christchurch for the first time. Thirtyeight remits will be debated during the conference, which will end this afternoon. The chairman of the Nelson electorate, Dr Hamish Neil, told the delegates that Nelson was a “winnable” seat for National this year.