Young Nats Critical (Press, 30 July 1979)

At the Young Nationals' conference held in Christchurch on 29 July 1979, the National Party's policy-making process faced significant criticism. The chairman, Mr M. Gummer from Auckland, emphasised the need for a more vigorous approach to policy formulation, urging party members to engage with the community to gather insights from experts. In his annual report, he noted a decline in support among young voters, which became evident during the 1978 General Election, stating that young individuals were in search of direction that the party failed to provide. Gummer stressed the importance of clearly articulating the party's policies. Mr S. Upton, a secondary school teacher from Hamilton and newly elected deputy chairman of the Young Nationals, echoed these sentiments. He expressed concern that the current policies were inadequate for the challenges ahead, describing the remits presented at the conference as overly vague. As a result, the Young Nationals passed a unanimous resolution calling for a more proactive approach to policy development within the party. They advocated for enhanced discussions on pivotal issues that impact the nation’s future, a more active role for the policy advisory committee, and improved collaboration between the party organisation and the Parliamentary party regarding policy discussions. In addition to addressing policy-making, the conference also considered specific resolutions. The Young Nationals opposed any attempts to modify direct taxation through regulation. They also garnered significant support for a resolution advocating for the repeal of sections in the Crimes Act that criminalise consensual homosexual acts between adult males in private. Furthermore, they demanded a timeline for the Danks Committee on Government Information to report back to Parliament. Overall, the conference underscored a desire among Young Nationals for more substantive engagement in policy-making and a shift towards more progressive stances on social issues, reflecting a broader concern for the representation and interests of younger voters within the National Party.

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