New National group proposed

Press, 25 October 1985, Page 21

New National group proposed

Another chapter of National Party grassroots history could begin this week-end if about 25 people in Canterbury go ahead with a plan to form a group tentatively called “True Blue National Youth.”

The proposed group’s coordinator who did not want to be named, said this week that the aim of the new group would not be to harm the National Party but to challenge some of its views and thereby improve its changes of re-election. “We have only taken this step as a last resort since we agree with most of the views held by the National Party,” he said. “The group includes about 10 Young Nationals members, former National Party members and others.

“We disagree strongly with the suspension from the party of the vice-presi-dent of the party’s Methven branch, Mrs Margaret Quin, and the Tamaki electorate chairman, Dr lan Shearer. “Even if we don’t agree with the views of these two persons they should be able to express their opinions without facing suspension.” Other aims of the group, which might have a closed membership, would include returning Sir Robert Muldoon to the Opposition’s front bench, the co-ordina-tor said.

“We also want to fight the goods and services tax all

the way and remove it when National becomes the Government,” he said.

“The resignation of the party president, Mrs Sue Wood, is sought by our group and we want Mr McLay to stop nit-picking with other party members and with Mr Lange. “Our other major aim is for the National Party to continue the stand towards A.N.Z.U.S. and nuclear-ship visits that the former National Government adopted. We definitely don’t support the Sunday Club.” The chairman of the Young Nationals’ Canter-bury-Westland branch, Mr Nick Smith, said that some of the aims of the proposed group would be in line with the Young Nationals’ views.

‘For example, we support w a fight against G.S.T. and some of us adhere to the « same A.N.Z.U.S. stand as this group wants,” he said. A “We definitely don’t sup- T port a return of Sir Robert to the front bench or the < resignation of Sue Wood, - who was democratically £ elected. “During last week-end Jim McLay effectively cleaned up the issue over u the leadership and Sir Robert’s return to the front bench.”

Mr Smith said that the proposed new group would add further divisions to the National Party and therefore would not help its • efforts to become the Government.