Palmer gets ‘magnificent reception’

Press, 14 August 1989, Page 8

Palmer gets ‘magnificent reception’

By

Patrick Mclennan

Mr Geoffrey Palmer flew into Christchurch for the first time as Prime Minister on Saturday morning and said he had used Christchurch Airport twice a week since he entered Parliament, but had never received such a “magnificent reception.” Accompanied by a 12-member entourage, Mr Palmer and his wife, Margaret, were welcomed with whistling and loud applause from about 150 people, which included local Labour members of Parliament, Mrs Margaret Austin, Mr Mike Moore and Dr Peter Simpson. Mr Palmer was clearly de-

lighted at the welcome and took time to greet familiar faces in the crowd. “It feels great, and gets better every day,” Mr Palmer responded to inquiries about his new role as the country’s leader. Admitting to being surprised by the turn-out, he noted the cool weather and said: “I don’t think I’ll be planting any tomatoes this week-end.” Mr Palmer said he was conscious of being Christchurch’s first Prime Minister since Norman Kirk. “Politics puts a great strain on your personal life, but in five years as deputy I believe I’ve learned to cope with the pres-

sure.” When Mr Lange was overseas Mr Palmer had been Acting Prime Minister a number of times, and felt that was an ideal preparation for his new role — “I’ve learned to watch my Ps and Qs.” He said he was “having a ball so far” as Prime Minister, and spent time joking with wellwishers. A group of camera-wielding Japanese tourists, sensing Mr Palmer’s mana, started taking photographs of him, and eventually posed with him themselves. “People back in Japan are going to be asking who’s this funny-looking fellow?” he

quipped. He said that having a Christ-church-based Prime Minister would help raise the profile of the city and vowed that his Christchurch Central constituency would not suffer because of his added responsibility. Mr Palmer scotched any rumours about the possibility of an early election being called. “Early elections are not regarded favourably by the New Zealand electorate. The last one who called one had no success,” he said, referring to Sir Robert Muldoon’s failed manoeuvre in 1984. “I’m certainly not of a mind to call one.”