National Party leadership

Press, 21 July 1984, Page 18

National Party leadership

Sir, — One of the most pathetic things was the constant call by many National candidates for voters to vote for them so the “socialists” wouldn’t get in. It was plain for all to see that the ’‘socialists” were already in, and led by one of the greatest enemies of the “free enterprise” system New Zealand has ever seen. If the National Party is ever to reemerge as an important political movement, it must immediately find a new leader and divest itself of its socialist leanings. — Yours, •etc. G. A. BRADLEY. July 19, 1984. Sir, — As a Kiwi, I must protest at the balant vituperation dripping from a poison pen of the London newspaper, the “Guardian.” Kicking a man when he is down is one of the games people play. It is not an act of courage, but of cowardice. The vultures are having a field day. It is noticeable that the unions with their creed of: “No man is permitted to be free ... I want ... I want ... Gimmee ...

Gimmee ... Or else” are for the moment, suspiciously silent. Any man or woman who stands up to their tactics is a giant. Sir Robert Muldoon has served us well in the past and, given the chance to implement his policy of stewardship for one more term, would have brought the country through this world-wide financial crisis with colours flying. The wealthiest countries on earth, such as those in O.P.E.C. would starve to death but for international trade. Superannuatants and beneficiaries are grateful to him. If something needed to be done early on what were the administrators of this country doing about it? What stopped them? In my opinion, their display for the media at this late stage publicises a poor self esteem. — Yours, etc.,

M. McKAY. July 18, 1984.

Sir, — The exhortation “In the name of God, go” has been applied to Sir Robert Muldoon. Before we rush to agree, it might be well to remember the very wide base of personal support Sir Robert enjoys in the country. It is often not just the people one would expect. I have found keen members of “Rob’s mob” among electricians, paperhangers, booksellers, gardeners, jockeys, housewives, builders, Post Office clerks, and taxi-drivers, as well as among the more obvious accountants, businessmen and retailers. Other members of the National Party Cabinet have won great respect for the ability, but none has quite the same popular following as Sir Robert. It might also be well to

remember the impressive international reputation he has earned, which no other member of the Cabinet can approach. I say nothing of his robust wit, or his entertainment value, which should not be lost to our TV screens. — Yours, etc.,

HELEN GARRETT. July 19, 1984.

Sir, — Dear oh dear, aren’t these National chaps bad losers? Mouthing threats of “we’ll be back in three years,” they reluctantly leave the field, blaspheming at the umpires, putting the boot in where possible, the captain not satisfied with bowling underarm for the last innings, wants to take the bat, ball and stumps with him, muttering to himself over and over again, “but its mine, all mine, I consulted the cards.” The fact that the “red subversives” amongst the spectators we are constantly told to beware of could never achieve the degree of damage to the game or jeopardise the trophy to the extent that this one man team has, must be a comforting thought to all those who spend sleepless nights inverted on their beds searching. Do I hear a cry of . “treason” from the crowd? — Yours, etc., J. A. ELMS. July 18, 1984.

Sir,—l am appalled by the steps taken by the so-called colleagues of Sir Robert Muldoon. After a lifetime of service to both his party and his country, to be berated in this way is beyond belief. He has made his mistakes; who of us has not? To me it shows the smallmindedness of the rest of his party, with the few exceptions, one of whom fortunately is Philip Burdon, of Christchurch. A scapegoat must be found for the underlying cause of this victory of Bob Jones, and I can hear the arrows finding their mark in that room yesterday. I can also hear the walls reverberate with the “Et tu, Brute,” when each drew blood. Those responsible still have to live with themselves. — Yours, etc.,

JOAN CAMPBELL. July 20, 1984.