Restraint Or Intervention, Warns Mr Lange (Press, 4 July 1984)

On 4 July 1984, Labour Party leader Mr Lange stated that a Labour government would collaborate with the private sector to curb reckless price increases. He emphasised that if businesses did not show restraint, his government would need to step in, but he preferred to foster cooperation rather than enforce legal barriers. Lange expressed confidence that New Zealand commerce would act responsibly for the country’s benefit if only it had been prompted to do so. In other political discussions, Independent candidate Mr Minite Watene suggested that Māori individuals in conflict with the law should be given a traditional Māori greeting challenge before police intervened. He argued that this could prevent volatile situations and promote respect and compassion. Watene proposed that Māori warden committees and the Māori Women’s Welfare League could take part in this initiative. Labour’s deputy leader, Mr Palmer, announced plans to review the Official Information Act, advocating for the removal of the Ministerial veto on information requests and the elimination of secrecy clauses in other laws. He articulated this stance at an electoral meeting in Ohariu, a seat held by the National Party. Social Credit leader Mr Beetham publicly dissociated himself from his party's stance on homosexual law reform, expressing his personal opposition to legalising homosexual acts between consenting adults in private. He highlighted the complex interplay of morality and legislation, stating that while he respected differing views within the party, he felt that an official party stance on a moral issue was misguided. In electoral logistics, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Mr Brian Clarke indicated that election-night results on 14 July might be slower due to the implementation of a new system designed to improve accuracy. This system would involve a check sheet at polling places for better co-ordination before results are sent to returning officers and then to the election-night headquarters. On the tourism front, Labour's tourism spokesperson Mr Mike Moore asserted that tourism would be a priority under a Labour government, positioned alongside agriculture and manufacturing as key areas for investment and job creation. He emphasised the need for a serious commercial approach rather than reliance on superficial publicity efforts. In education, Labour’s spokesperson Mr Russell Marshall announced plans for a taha Māori course aimed at providing parliamentary members with insights into the Māori dimension within the education curriculum. He underlined the urgency of addressing Māori issues in education, responding to a significant level of frustration within the Māori community regarding the education system's insensitivity towards the country’s first culture. Lastly, in a form of protest against escalating costs, university students planned to send packets of crumbs to members of Parliament as a symbolic act to highlight their discontent.

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