Government by decree
In his message to the Nation, the Prime Minister chose to open his campaign of the 1984 snap election by saying that 'his lot and warts' know what they are doing. That's good to know because no-one else does! Did my opponent Jim Bolger know his Boss was throwin'g in the towel? (Or is it a red herring?) Did Marilyn Waring know her convictions and principles, along with her honesty, were going to be used by the Prime Minister as an excuse for his inability to govern? The Prime Minister went on to say that 'his lot' have experience. Experience at what? The economy is in a mess — Unemployment is of major concern to the people — New Zealand's balance of payments is worsening — New Zealand owes more money per individual than any country in the world — Industrial relations are chaotic — Democracy is being eroded by the week — The country is governed by Prime Ministerial decree — There are so many regulations the Government printing office can't keep up with them — New Zealand ranks 23rd out of 24 in the OECD performance ratings. It seems to me that the Prime Minister and his band of tired old men are confusing experience with senility! I put two questions to you, my future constituents — Can New Zealand afford another three years of this kind of experience? Can the King Country afford to have as its parliamentary representative a Minister of Labour who has presided over the worst unemployment figures in New Zealand history? A Labour Government will not offer an economic
miracle. A Labour Government will not offer 410,000 jobs in the hope that a few might turn up. The Labour Government will not offer a gimmicky 'amazing Doctor' remedy. What the Labour Party does offer is a sensible package of policies which are designed to get the country working together. There is no room in the Labour Party for 'Divide and Rule' tactics; governing New Zealand is much too important. As your future MP, I offer the King Country a voice in Parliament which will be heard. Regional development is high on the Labour Party's list of priorities and the King Country has been neglected long enough! The King Country should not be taken in by the diversionary tactics and excuses the Prime Minister has used as reasons for this snap election. The real reason is that had he waited until November, the economy would have been in such a mess that the National Party would have lost by an even bigger landslide than the forthcoming Labour victory on Julv 14th.
Jim
Simons
Labour Candidate for King Country
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Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 4, 26 June 1984, Page 12
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438Government by decree Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 4, 26 June 1984, Page 12
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