The election

Press, 13 July 1984, Page 12

The election

Sir, — Your sample voting paper in “The Press” this morning records a vote for a candidate named “Nibor.” While I appreciate that the choice of this name may be purely fortuitous, it could also be construed in reverse as a subtle suggestion to your readers that they should support the National Party. — Yours, etc., A. W. S. RITCHIE. July 12, 1984.

Sir,—Whichever party becomes the Government, I hope it will give away the idea of referendums on moral issues or Royal commissions on anything. I am unimpressed by candidates who say they will determine their electorate’s position and vote accordingly. This is simply an “out” to avoid a direct answer. Any desired result can be obtained by the way the questions are worded. As for Royal commissions, if their findings are not convenient to the "* government of the time, they are ignored. One example is the Royal Commission on Abortion (1976), which found “the taking of unborn life for social convenience is morally wrong.” We all know what happened to that. Voters should ascertain their candidates’ views and vote according to their own consciences. Another election is only three years away. — Yours, etc LILLIAN CARR. July 11, 1984. Sir,—lf the National Party believes in its nuclear weapons policy, why does it not implement it? A strong government should not be afraid to ask a foreign warship whether it is carrying nuclear weapons. — Yours, etc., JOHN G. FREEMAN. July 10, 1984. Sir,—lndustrial trouble, regardless of which government is in power, is what New Zealand cannot afford, and does not want. Those who may have been wavering between National and Labour will have been helped to make up their minds in favour of National by Mr Knox and his ill-timed threat of trouble if, as he says, Labour does not win on Saturday. — Yours, etc., P. ANDERSON. July 11, 1984. Sir,—The strongest and most appealing plank of Mr Lange’s election platform is his obviously sincere intention to unite our , divided country and have us all A Working together happily under a

strong Government. The Prime Minister has been widely blamed for being divisive, but is he more so than the F.O.L. or Hart, which used anti-Muldoon feeling to split our country down the middle during the 1981 Springbok tour? We badly need stable wages and prices and upgraded currency to achieve the required recovery, not a series of wage bargains. Unions are not the problem — it is their longterm, politically-aligned leaders. We have already heard the stated intentions of Andersen, Douglas, Knox and Isbey. There are also Mr Anderton and several union leaders with well known track records. All

are sure to have a finger in the pie. Some prices have certainly increased. Employers’ co-operation will be vital. Mr Lange will face a daunting task. — Yours, etc.,

E. MULCOCK. July 11, 1984.

Sir,—M. T. Moore does not criticise my analysis of heavy spending by the last Labour Government (July 9) but blames it on an oil shock that was much smaller than that subsequently faced by National. He quotes Labour’s high spending on housing as a plus, but neglects to mention the resultant doubling of house prices which made profits for speculators but. brought despair to those saving for years who now found home ownership beyond their reach. In 1972 an average house cost roughly three years average wages, in 1975 over five years, but now between three and four years. There are over 80,000 more dwelling units available now than in 1975. The Christchurch Real Estate Institute reK'ed more house sales in May in any month since the institute was formed 25 years ago. National has produced results, whereas Labour’s “Claytons” policies could result in more wild spending and inflation.—Yours, etc.,

C. M. DRIVER. July 12, 1984.

Sir, — A member of the audience at the meeting on Wednesday of Messrs Burdon and Quigley commented that if the behaviour of the young people there was typical of the opposition to National, New Zealand had nothing to fear on Saturday. I suggest, however, that if such behaviour is typical, and we are to believe the results of opinion polls, the country has much to fear; and I exhort all “right”-minded voters to concentrate their support on Philip Burdon; Any other consideration is an opportunity for extremism — Yours, etc., M. E. GRAY. July 12, 1984.

Sir,—With no Upper House, and in the interest of true democracy, surely it is imperative that members of third parties be elected to Parliament in order to check the excesses and arrogance of the two main parties. This is particularly important when both the main parties are asking for a blank cheque. — Yours, etc., J. W. TINNISWOOD, Cust. July 12, 1984.

Sir,—Mr Lange claims his party will be a party of consultation. Consultation with whom? If their performance over the last few weeks is anything to go on, it will be consultation with Messrs Knox and Andersen. The unions have been running their campaign, and Mr Lange has not been told the policies — just that there will be “consultation.” — Yours, etc., D. FAIRWEATHER. July 10, 1984. Sir,-Rachel Ensor is obviously awestruck by our Prime Minister, and it is unbelievable that she considers his leadership as a blessing to this country. Does she not realise the ever-increasing price rises, unemployment and debt our cqotry is experiencing? His only

great foresight is his think big projects and where have they got us? Into so much debt that the International Monetary Fund is even doubting our ability to survive. Sir Robert states that in approximately 10 years New Zealand will be thriving due to these think big projects. What New Zealander is thinking about 10 years time, what about the state of the economy now? I fear for the party that succeeds National, because guess who will be the first to say what a mess the country is in and my question is, who has put it there over the last nine years? — Yours, etc., D. CAROLAN. July 11, 1984.