Visit starts rapport

Press, 2 November 1985, Page 8

Visit starts rapport

By

OLIVER RIDDELL

in Wellington A dialogue between the Sunday Club and leadership of the National Party has been opened with the visit to Christchurch recently by the Chief Opposition Whip, Mr Don McKinnon. Mr McKinnon spoke to a meeting organised by the Sunday Club in Christchurch last week-end. The Sunday Club had written to him as Chief Whip asking if the National caucus could meet the Sunday Club executive when

the caucus was holding its three-day retreat at the Russley Hotel during September.

There was not time for a meeting then, but the olive branch offered by the Sunday Club to National’s leadership was welcomed. The Sunday Club had been calling for the resignation of National’s leader, Mr McLay, and its president, Mrs Sue Wood.

This approach from the Sunday Club led on to a discussion between Mr

McLay, his deputy leader, Mr Jim Bolger, and Mr McKinnon. It was agreed that Mr McKinnon should meet the Sunday Club at a later date.

They had told him of their concerns in the areas they represented, and he had told them what the National Party planned to do about those concerns.

“That is all I am prepared to say at this stage,” Mr McKinnon said from his Auckland home last evening.