National Party leadership

Press, 20 July 1984, Page 12

National Party leadership

Sir, — I am tired of attacks on. Sir Robert Muldoon and his manner. I prefer someone who says clearly what should be done and does it, who gives confidence to the whole country. The exodus of money from the country at his overthrow is evidence of that confidence. Sir Robert has cushioned us for the last nine years, knocked inflation, held prices, started the big industries to earn funds that farming can no longer earn in a protectionist world, and all this with the millstones of his own party round his neck. Accusations of dictatorship are ridiculous in a party which, unlike Labour, allows public disloyalty. The Labour Party has been moderate in victory, but the National hopefuls sicken me. The leadership polls have long shown the fallacy of National’s belief that he is a disadvantage to them. I and many others would put it the other way round. — Yours, etc., J. N. HANLIN. July 18, 1984. Sir, — I hope all young New Zealanders, school leavers, first voters and thousands of sportspersons, understand the colossal debt and price that all with jobs are going to have to pay for decades, because National politicians allowed Sir Robert Muldoon to rule as an autocrat. They must, therefore, shoulder all blame, and National is now a spent and finished force. The election showed that 56 per cent voted for Rightwing parties. There is now only room for two parties — Right-wing and Labour. Within six months the young will form their opinions on Mr Lange’s efforts. The New Zealand Party’s giant and breathtaking leap forward in just nine months, against National’s 37 years of experience, amounted to one vote in three. Bob Jones and his deputy and party have earned our support. We want freedom, peace and a good education. There is only one way to go. — Yours; etc., GRAY HENDERSON, Sheffield. July 17, 1984. Sir, — After reading Oliver Riddell’s article on July 16 “National’s troubles only beginning,” I assure you that I am one National Party member who is more than pleased to see Sir Robert Muldoon removed from office. My one regret is that in order to do it the National Party in general had to suffer. I hope that when the moment arrives the National Party hierarchy will do what the National Party in general wants. Surely the votes that went to the New Zealand Party proved that Sir Robert Muldoon tried to call everyone’s bluff and failed miserably. Now he should do the decent thing and resign. — Yours, etc > BRIAN DONNELLY, Sheffield. July 17, 1984.

Sir,—ln “The Press” of July 19 A. Prentice becomes somewhat historically confused in his letter headed “Valediction.” The words Quoted by him were used by Oliver romwell when addressing the Long Parliament on April 20, 1653; they were also used by L. S. Amery from the back benches of Neville Chamberlain’s Government on May 7, 1940. William Pitt, by the way, lived from 1759 to 1806. It is interesting to remember Cromwell’s next remark, also apposite to present events: “What shall we do with this bauble? Take it away.” — Yours, etc., GUY C. BLISS. July 19, 1984.

[This correspondent is correct. We erred by not checking the first correspondent’s quotation.—Editor]