Timaru by-election

Press, 24 June 1985, Page 12

Timaru by-election

Sir, — The staggering reversal for the Government in Timaru reflects the disillusionment among its own supporters. Mr Lange’s comment that “if another by-elec-tion were held tomorrow the Government would probably lose that too” is the understatement of the year. Timaru had returned a Labour member with big majorities for 57 years but 11 months in office of this Government was just too much. If high interest rates and high inflation continue for another year and the new GST tax is thrust upon us, the country will by the next election be in a state of political revolt. The high vote for Mr McTigue, whose stand on defence and moral issues was well known, suggests that the Government is at odds with the public on these issues too. — Yours, etc., J. F. GARVEY, Westport. June 19, 1985.

Sir,—Mr Lange would do well to listen to Jim Anderton. He deserves more respect than he has been shown since his election as member for Sydenham. It was Jim Anderton’s drive, organising ability, and hard work that got the Labour Party back into power. Had they listened to Jim Anderton they would never have introduced the

Super, surcharge tax and considering the large number of retired people in Timaru, that in itself was enough to lose the seat. The whole exercise has been a disaster, especially as all the fiddling that has been done since last year’s Budget has put most of it back to square one and those that are able will have manipulated their investments to avoid the tax anyway, so reducing the actual tax take to petty cash. — Yours, etc.,

E. L. BARCLAY. June 20, 1985.