‘Loser mentality’ in South Island — Bob Jones

Press, 18 April 1979, Page 3

‘Loser mentality’ in South Island — Bob Jones

By

ROGER MACKEY

Christchurch people feel the lash of Bob Jones’s tongue less than Aucklanders — many of whom he suspects are unable to read — out not by much.

South Islanders, more sol than other New Zealanders, had taken the genera! mood of “doom and gloom” and amplified it into a "loser mentality,” said Mr Jones yesterday. They were not visibly downtrodden yet were continually pessimistic about the future. He has little sympathy with the arguments fuelling that pessimism. South Islanders trot out distorted economics when discussing regional problems, according to Mr Jones. The argument that the South is “ripped off” by supplying electricity to the North he dismisses as inappropriate. He doubts if it would really matter even if the arguments were true. “The problems of growth may be worse than anything a slight decline might produce.” he said. “It's bloody rustic and nice as it is now.” Bob Jones freely admits that he is "a bit of a missionary.” Less Government control and more freedom in the market summarise his practical suggestions for change, but do not do justice to his real aim — a change in New Zealand's style of life, rather than a change in its substance, in his own words. More laughter and fewer grey faces might begin to make New Zealand a better place to live in, he said. After a little thought he rejects comparisons between himself and Renee Stanton, “the Bible Lady,” and Trevor Richards. The difference, he says, is that his crusade is only a hobby. “I’ve got the time and I’ve got the freedom,” he said. One necessary change to people’s attitudes would be to give up “our obsession with the economy,” he said. Mr Jones admires the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) but blames him for the national “obsession.” Mr Muldoon’s dominance of the New Zealand political scene for the last decade made this inevitable, he said.

Bob Jones shares Mr Muldoon’s criticism for light-ning-rod tendency to attract a lot of criticism for aggressively expressed opin-

ions. A reviewer of one of Mr Jones’s books — in an otherwise favourable review — prefaced his remarks by dissociating himself from Mr Jones’s “obnoxious” political beliefs. I The holder of those beliefs feels that that remark is but one example of what is wrong with the style of New Zealand life and the lack of humour in political debate. However, he was impressed by a devout Christian. who is also a senior Cabinet Minister in the present Government. The Minister prays each night that Bob Jones will not become a Christian. Why? “Because Bob Jones’s preaching would make life hell,” the Minister said. Mr Jones is very fast at spotting contradictions in others’ arguments, but he is also quick to admit his own. He is not in the “struggling writer” category, but has applied for and will accept payments from the Government for the use of his books by public libraries. As an opera lover he will accept the subsidy from the taxpayer for a national opera company — even though, as with the payment to authors, he does not agree with it. Both positions contradict one of the key elements of his crusade, namely less Government interference, but while “a misguided Government” wants to throw such things his way he is not about to turn them down. Mr Jones's critics may be surprised, if not soothed, to learn that he is an avid consumer of art by South Islanders. Apart from paintings bv Toss Woollaston and John Weeks he also possesses the biggest collection anywhere of works by the Christchurch artist, Margaret Stoddart. Bob Jones will be in Christchurch for the rest of the week as a talk-back host for a local radio station. His guest today will be a local feminist, no doubt just back from the United Women’s Convention in Hamilton. Any bets which side of the argument he will take?