Man advertises his love for Sir Robert

Press, 28 November 1984, Page 8

Man advertises his love for Sir Robert

A Christchurch man has spent up to $2OOO advertising his support for the National Party leader, Sir Robert Muldoon, in newspapers in Christchurch and Wellington. The advertisement is headed “An open letter to Rob Muldoon.” “Regardless of our lovehate relationship, can we do without you? No. Of course not,” it says. “Men of your calibre are rare in the whole world, let alone New Zealand.” Signed “A concerned Dutch Kiwi,” it calls on Sir Robert to “lead National back on to the Treasury benches.” It was published in “The Press” on Monday and has been placed in the “Dominion” today and tomorrow. Mr Qul van der Veer, of Fendalton, who placed the advertisements, said he had received about 200 letters since they appeared in Christchurch newspapers at the week-end.

Mr van der Veer said that he had paid for the advertisements because he admired Sir Robert and believed he was the best person to lead National back to power. “I feel he is far superior to any of the others who might take his place,” he said. He said he believed that Sir Robert had done a wonderful job leading New Zealand through difficult economic times. Sir Robert was widely respected in Europe. He was a man “of unusual talents” and he was the leader National needed to face up to a man of the calibre of the Prime Minister, Mr Lange. National could look at its leadership again once it had got back into power.

Mr van der Veer said that he had hoped there would be enough time for his campaign to boost support for Sir Robert. Now it looked as though there would not be enough time because the caucus might vote on the

leadership tomorrow. “At least I have spoken out and given my opinion. If everyone did the same it would not happen,” he said. “I feel gratified because there are so many other people who agree with me.” Mr van der Veer said that he was a member of the National Party, mainly because Sir Robert was its leader. He was interested in the ideas of the New Zealand Party and would probably “go with Bob Jones” if Sir Robert was replaced. He believed many other National Party members would go with him. A Wellington woman, Mrs Sue Mac Kay, has also placed newspaper advertisements calling for “all thinking New Zealanders” to support Sir Robert as leader. It asks people to send telegrams to him. A spokesman for Sir Robert told NZPA yesterday that Sir Robert had received well over 3000 supportive letters and telegrams.