‘Honesty’ Mr Jones’ Plank (Press, 23 May 1985)

On 22 May 1985, Timaru witnessed a vibrant campaign launch for the upcoming by-election, led by Mr Bob Jones, the leader of the New Zealand Party. The event at the Theatre Royal drew an enthusiastic crowd of over 1,000 people, contrasting sharply with the smaller turnouts at the recent National Party and Social Credit meetings. Mr Jones emphasised the need for honesty in politics, asserting that this principle had been neglected by many politicians in New Zealand. His remarks targeted Leader of the Opposition, Mr McLay, who was critiqued for his inconsistent stance on the controversial Homosexual Law Reform Bill. Mr Jones highlighted how Mr McLay wavered from initially supporting the bill to expressing opposition and subsequently indecision. Furthermore, Mr Jones called out Labour candidate Miss Jan Walker for her equivocation on the same issue. He pointed out that while she had been an activist for reform, she opted to consult the electorate for their opinions rather than taking a definitive stance. Mr Jones underscored his party's commitment to honesty and integrity, contrasting it with what he termed the evasiveness of other political groups. He also took aim at Mr J. A. Banks, the National MP for Whangarei, who suggested that the Tourist Hotel Corporation should establish a hotel in Timaru. Mr Jones criticised this position as hypocritical, pointing out that Mr Banks had been part of a government that forbade such developments for eight years. The core of Mr Jones' argument revolved around the theme of honesty, stating that the conversation should focus on integrity rather than policy proposals that misrepresent past actions. Mr Jones drew attention to the All Blacks' tour as an example of deceit within parliament, where many MPs who privately favoured the tour publicly opposed it. He insisted on the necessity of having representatives in Parliament capable of exposing such duplicity. Reflecting on the Labour Government's tenure, he acknowledged its achievements, claiming it had successfully implemented many policies advocated by the New Zealand Party, while also cautioning against the potential negative impact of a proposed goods and services tax. He regarded this tax as a severe mistake that could lead to significant inflation, expressing scepticism about its actual implementation due to its unpopularity. Overall, Mr Jones’ opening of the campaign for the Timaru by-election was marked by a fervent call for honesty in political dealings and a critique of various parties' approaches to pressing social issues.

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