Resignations ‘relief’ To Miss Waring (Press, 12 November 1979)

On 12 November 1979, nearly the entire committee of the National Party's Otorohanga branch resigned, signalling significant tensions within the party. Fourteen out of the 16 committee members stepped down, citing concerns that the Waipa electorate had become dominated by Miss Marilyn Waring, the local Member of Parliament, and that her views were being imposed on the executive. Despite their resignations from the committee, the members chose to remain part of the National Party. The resignations were formally announced by branch chairman Mr T. Polstra during an executive meeting that was attended by Miss Waring. In response to the resignations, Miss Waring expressed relief, suggesting that the move would benefit the party and its operations. She maintained that she had the backing of the broader branch membership, which numbers around 360. When questioned about her approach to constituency opinions following the resignations, she asserted that she regularly sought input from the electorate. Electorate chairman Mr A. Myers expressed his belief that the resignations were a positive step, stating that the Otorohanga committee had been in opposition to Miss Waring for some time, making collaboration difficult. He indicated that the electorate remained supportive of Miss Waring, countering the claim that she had been dictating to the committee. Mr Myers welcomed the possibility of a new committee being elected in a meeting scheduled for 20 November and forecasted a potential increase in National Party membership following the committee's reshuffling. The dissent against Miss Waring appears to have intensified since April, when she publicly supported menstrual extraction for women seeking abortions, a stance that had drawn criticism from the branch. Mr Polstra had previously contended that Miss Waring was unfit for her role due to her views. Notably, Mr. J. Bolger, brother of the Minister of Labour, was among those who resigned, emphasising that the departing members were concerned party affiliates rather than dissenters acting impulsively. The situation reflects ongoing tensions within the National Party and highlights the challenges faced by Miss Waring, who has previously encountered opposition from party members. Since her candidacy victory in March 1978, there have been indications of friction, including the resignation of former electorate chairman Mr V. Collison and secretary Mr E. L. Riddell at that time. The upcoming committee election presents an opportunity for the party to address internal conflicts and strengthen its alignment within the electorate.

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