Dr Shearer rejects presidency role

Press, 4 February 1986, Page 3

Dr Shearer rejects presidency role

Dr lan Shearer will not put his name forward for the presidency of the National Party this year. He said from Auckland last evening that he would not stand because people might attach the wrong motive to his inquiries into National Party organisation last year.

There had been rumours that the only reason he started his question about the party’s presidency and its methods of re-electing its secretary-general was to gain the presidency nomination in 1986. That was not true, Dr

Shearer said. He had made his inquiries in the interests of other party members who had similar questions. He had still not received answers on questions about the pay and conditions of the president’s job. That was another reason he was not standing for president this year.

Dr Shearer said he was anxious to clear up any confusion that he would put his name forward. At the end of last year he had said he would stand, but since his continuing membership of the parly, after his suspension

last year because of his inquiries, had been confirmed, he had decided to not stand.

He was incorrectly quoted in a Press Association report yesterday as saying he would put his name forward. Dr Shearer said he felt he must make it clear that he was not available, in spite of many people writing and asking him to stand, so that other people would make themselves available. Nominations will have to go before divisional conference in about two months.