C.p.i. A Fraud, Party Told (Press, 28 April 1986)
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Summary: C.p.i. A Fraud, Party Told (Press, 28 April 1986)
In a speech delivered at the Democratic Party's northern regional conference, newly appointed deputy leader Mr Neil Morrison openly criticized the consumers' price index (C.P.I.). He claimed that the C.P.I. does not accurately reflect the actual costs faced by average citizens, particularly the less affluent. According to Morrison, the index includes luxury items such as home computers, restaurant expenses, and air travel, which he argued are beyond the financial reach of the lower-paid workforce. He highlighted that the prices of many luxury goods are decreasing, while essential costs burden families trying to manage their household expenses, particularly mortgage payments. Morrison described the C.P.I. as a “cruel fraud,” asserting that it misrepresents the financial realities of ordinary New Zealand families. He noted that the index fails to capture the struggles of those who are financially strained, suggesting that it is disconnected from the everyday experiences of average New Zealanders. The deputy leader also raised concerns regarding the introduction of a goods and services tax, which he argued would exacerbate the situation. He stated that while luxury goods would not be subject to this tax, essential items, which many families depend on, would be taxed, further complicating the economic hardships faced by the lower-income demographic. During the conference, delegates voted on various remits, including one aimed at abolishing Māori seats in Parliament, which was decisively rejected. However, they passed a remit to make homosexual law reform a topic of conscience, indicating a shift in party considerations towards social issues. Overall, Morrison’s address underscored a growing concern within the party about the implications of free-market policies on New Zealand’s poorer communities.
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