National Party ructions in Christchurch

Press, 20 July 1984, Page 5

National Party ructions in Christchurch

By KARREN BEANLAND, political reporter Challenges to the leadership of the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Muldoon, are causing ructions in parts of the National Party organisation in Christchurch. This came after news reports yesterday that the chairman of the party’s five divisions met the party president, Mrs Sue Wood, yesterday and passed on a “clear message” to Sir Robert that he should resign before National’s conference next week.

They were reported to have made their decision after sounding out the views of electorate chairmen and Dominion councillors after the party’s election defeat. However, the chairmen of two Christchurch electorates — Christchurch North and St Albans — said last evening that their views on Sir Robert’s leadership had not been sought.

The chairman of the Christchurch North electorate, Mr Malcolm Yorke, said his organisation had met on Wednesday evening and unanimously resolved to send a telegram to Sir Robert congratulating him on his policies and leadership over a long and difficult period.

“In the interests of the National Party and New Zealand in particular, we urge you to retain the Parliamentary party leadership. The support for you personally is widespread in Canterbury and is a reason why voluntary workers flock to assist when the

chips are down. Please disregard the negative Leftwing media and come out fighting,” the telegram said.

Mr Yorke said there was strong support for Sir Robert in the party. Members in the division had been upset because the local party organisation had backed “the Quigley stage rather than the Prime Minister.”

There were divisions in the local party organisation which stemmed from “the sacking or resignation, whichever way you look at it,” of the former Cabinet Minister and member of Parliament for Rangiora, Mr Derek Quigley. Nevertheless, Mr Yorke said that he believed the electorate would support the move by the National Party caucus yesterday, which decided to consider the question of party leadership again early next year.

That would give the party time to “simmer down” and to think about the leadership, he said. The acting chairman of the Canterbury-Westland division, Mr Neville Young, said from Wellington last evening that the meeting held with Mrs Wood yesterday was the usual debriefing session held after elections.

He confirmed that he had polled the division for views on the party leadership, but said the results were confidential and had been passed on to the caucus.

A special Dominion council meeting had been arranged for July 27 so that

the party could discuss the leadership question “when the dust has settled.”

“The National Party tries to handle these things in an appropriate manner. There are tremendous feelings released by an election,” he said.

The National Party was in effect 200,000 people held together by a loyalty system. The organisation was loyal .“to whoever is the leader, for as long as they are leader,” he said. “Changes in loyalty are painful and require time. The whole effect of the election and what has happened require some time to assess. It is silly to make snap decisions.” Mr Young said he believed the Canterbury-West-land division would be satisfied with the decision made by yesterday’s caucus meeting.

Other party sources in Christchurch yesterday indicated that the Christchurch North electorate might be out on its own in supporting Sir Robert’s continued leadership. They said the strongest electorates, such as Selwyn, Fendalton, Rangiora, and Ashburton, supported moves for change.

Mr Quigley, who attended the first National caucus yesterday where retiring members of Parliament were presented with silver trays, would not comment on the leadership issue last evening.

“It is a matter for the caucus and, of course, ultimately the party,” he said.