Reconciliation appears no closer for Douglas

Press, 30 May 1989, Page 6

Reconciliation appears no closer for Douglas

By

PATTRICK SMELLIE

in Wellington Reconciliation between the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, and the former Minister of Finance, Mr Roger Douglas, looks no closer after comments from Mr Lange yesterday. He was commenting on reports that Mr Douglas and he had met for half an hour on Saturday. “I saw him on Saturday, and I will probably see him again some time,” said Mr Lange.

“But that’s how it is. I mean, I think we’ve got to get to the point where if I see Roger that is a natural undertaking — not something which is

endlessly dissected by speculators.” Mr Lange said their discussions had been useful but would not elaborate on their content, except to say they discussed “Government.” It had been useful for “New Zealand” rather than either politician. The meeting occurred after a meeting of the Labour Party Council, which stopped short of taking disciplinary action against the Backbone Club, which supports Mr Douglas. Mr Lange said he had not addressed the council meting on the Backbone Club specifically.

“At one stage I pointed out that a party can actually contain dissent,” he said.

Mr Douglas was not available for comment last evening. Parliamentary sources said the meeting had canvassed the positions both men had laid out for any change to present arrangements. Mr Douglas said last December he would not work in a Cabinet chaired by Mr Lange, while Mr Lange is understood to require a strong commitment of loyalty from Mr Douglas before considering his re-entry to the Cabinet.