Ms Waring makes a discreet visit

Press, 21 June 1984, Page 3

Ms Waring makes a discreet visit

By

PATRICIA HERBERT

in Wellington

Ms Marilyn Waring, the rebel National member for Waipa, slipped quietly into her Parliamentary office yesterday to collect the hundreds of messages of support she has received from the public.

She came into the building through the rear entrance and left the same way, stealing noiselessly down the corridor to avoid the inevitable questions of reporters agog to interview her.

The Prime Minister, Sir Robert Muldoon, has blamed Ms Waring for precipitating the snap election by withdrawing from the Government caucus and reserving her vote on issues relating to disarmament and rape. He said last Thursday evening that he would go to the polls because he no longer had a reliable majority in Parliament. Ms Waring has not spoken to reporters since then and declined to speak to “The Press” yesterday. She left clutching her correspondence, the contents of

which should cheer her in what must be a difficult time.

Her secretary, Miss Mary McGuiness, said that about 100 telegrams and more than 1500 letters had been received, only four of them disapproving or hostile. She said that 60 per cent of the writers were women and that accountants, doctors, and other professional people featured heavily among the remaining male 40 per cent. They came from throughout New Zealand. Miss McGuiness read excerpts from four of the letters to “The Press.” She said that the feelings they expressed were representative.

“I agree with your moral political stance. When disillusionment and disgust threaten to engulf, it is the thought of a few who dare to stand upright and to take the wrath that makes the unbearable at least tolerable,” said one.

“I don’t always agree with you but I admire you immensely because you are not deterred in the pursuit of your convictions and my

humble support is with you,” said another.

“I feel I must write to say how much I admire the way you stick to your principles against all the pressures put on you. It must take a great deal of courage in the face of all the opposition from your own party. I only wish there were more men and women like you. Parliament will lose its most honest member when you leave it," a third said.

“The snap election was a very clever political move most of us ordinary folk out here think." a Lower Hutt woman wrote. “I am, I suppose, the usual stereotype suburban housewife: four kids, running a home, and trying to make ends meet. My friends'are in a like situation.

“We wish to thank you for your time in Parliament and the battles you have fought for us. Your years in the public eye have not gone unnoticed by women. You have made your mark and it will never be forgotten. “I assure you that my sex have been given hope by your efforts and wish you well in the future.”