Minister hits back at Rowling

Press, 14 September 1988, Page 10

Minister hits back at Rowling

PA Wellington The Minister of Revenue, Mr de Cleene, yesterday defended the Government against an attack by the former Labour leader, Sir Wallace Rowling, saying New ■ Zealand, would be insolvent if. Sir Wallace were Prime Minister.

Sir Wallace scolded the Government’s policies, in an address at Palmerston North on Monday evening, saying these had led to unnecessary - . pain for many. Asset sales were a misdirection of capital,, floating the dollar was a - mistaken subsidies had

been removed too quickly and user-pays principles were applied too harshly, Sir Wallace said. Mr de Cleene hit back, saying Sir Wallace was dumped as Labour leader because his economic policies were a “retreat from reality.” ; Sir Wallace had to realise the Government’s drive to reduce inflation was essential if New Zealand was to take its place in competitive world markets, Mr de Cleene said. He said he disagreed with Sir Wallace’s assessment that Government policies were forcing young people to pay for a crime they did not commit. “If there is one reason that the young in this z country should feel dispirited it is because Bill Rowling’s Government and the subsequent National Government both borrowed lavishly overseas,” Mr de Cleene said. "New Zealand would. have been virtually insolvent, with much higher unemployment and a mass exodus overseas if Sir Wallace had remained as Labour Party leader.” X