‘Arrogant’ offer rejected

Press, 13 July 1984, Page 4

‘Arrogant’ offer rejected

PA Wellington The Prime Minister, Sir Robert Muldoon, said last evening that he would not take up Mr Lange’s “arrogant” offer to have him promote his international monetary reform under a Labour government. “I found (the offer) patronising,” he said in a television interview.

“Indeed, it was arrogant of a man who has had six years or so in Parliament

and has to go round with a minder,” he said. “But maybe there was a little bit of deviousness behind it — that he would like me out of the country if he is trying to lead a Labour government. “But no such luck,” Sir Robert said. “This is not going to happen.” Mr Lange’s offer was made in a similar television interview this week. Sir Robert said that if the

National Government was thrown out — and he did not believe it would be — Sunday would be a day of rest before he started campaigning for the 1987 election.

He said his surprise “I love you, Mr Lange” at the end of the televised leaders’ debate was “a little bit of gentle sarcasm” in response to Mr Lange’s “condescending” claim that there would be a place for him in defeat.