Party ‘lost on H.Q.’

Press, 25 October 1985, Page 1

Party ‘lost on H.Q.’

PA Auckland Dr lan Shearer is retaliating against his suspension from the National Party by threatening to release further controversial matters within its financing and administration. Dr Shearer has a thick file of information he has received from concerned members since he revealed a secret loan of party funds to the Rangiora member of Parliament, Mr Jim Gerard. The former Cabinet Minister yesterday claimed the party had lost $300,000 annually on its Dominion headquarters building in Wellington for some time. Dr Shearer believes the loss contributed to a $1 million debt faced by the party. He has also questioned business relationships and overseas trips by top party officials, the absence of annual financial reports, and present nationwide party membership. He appealed to the party’s grassroots membership to push for more information about its administration, financing, and direction.

The registrar of incorporated societies, Mr Kevin McCormack, has confirmed that the party organisation failed to provide annual accounts on its Wellington building for at least four years. Dr Shearer said it was a statutory requirement for the accounts to be furnished because the building was registered under the name, “National Party Centre Inc.”

“I am told there was a $300,000 loss annually on the building because of lack of rentals and expensive outgoings,” he said. Both the party president, Mrs Sue Wood, and the director-general, Mr Barrie Leay have repeatedly refused publicly to discuss the party’s finances. They say financial information is confidential to the party’s controlling executive council. Dr Shearer officially stepped down as Tamaki electorate chairman about 5 p.m. on Wednesday.