Cabinet meets council

Press, 19 August 1985, Page 2

Cabinet meets council

PA Wellington The Labour Party Council will hold a special meeting with the Cabinet today to discuss issues surrounding the annual conference in Christchurch, said the party’s president, Ms Margaret Wilson, last evening. She said the two would meet for lunch then hold formal discussions on issues involving the August 30 to September 2 conference. Asked whether tomorrow’s Budget statement by the Minister of Finance, Mr Douglas, would be dis-

cussed, Ms Wilson said it was not on the agenda for the talks.

“The meeting’s to deal with matters before conference ... it’s an important conference for us ... with the economic debate,” she said.

“I have got a long-term strategy to get better relationships between the party and the Government. Whenever I can find an opportunity that is normal and natural I try to do it.” Ms Wilson described the meeting as an unusual one.

She expected it would take place at Parliament because of space requirements.

Both groups will hold separate meetings this morning. Earlier this year the Government obtained conditional support for the controversial goods and services tax at five of its six regional conferences. The Government intends introducing GST legislation in Parliament on Thursday after Mr Douglas’s Budget statement tomorrow.