Blow up for youth

"The role of youth at the Labour Party Conference was over-estimated," said Mr Peter Blizard, Lecturer in Psychology, at the Labour Club meeting last Thursday.

"Until 1969, we can only speculate to what depth the ideas will have penetrated thick skulls of those formulating the policy manifesto."

Mr Blizard said that the "organised voice of youth" had been "meek and mild."

It was indicative, he said, of the tone of the youth report that it was received with "no discussion whatsoever."

Mr Blizard said not only was he dissatisfied with the policy of the parly, but also in the way it was formed.

Mr Blizard termed the conference "a rubber stamp."

He pointed out it had no effective power over the policy committee, which "is convened at the desire of the leader, submits suggestions to the leader and is altogether responsible to the leader and no-one else."

One committee was not capable of forming policy. "What is needed is a series of policy committees," Mr Blizard said.

"Unless there are transformations to the machinery of the party," said Mr Blizard. "Labour will not be elected in 1969. And they don't deserve to be elected if they haven't got a policy."

Mr Rod Alley, research fellow in Political Science and an observer at the Conference, said, "there was an almost indecent hastiness in the way the debate on Vietnam was avoided."

"Is it good enough to re-affirm the 1966 policy?" he asked.

"What is the Labour Party policy on the present negotiations, on American involvement in Laos and Thailand, on China, on the EEC?" he asked.

"There must be a constant debate, constant scrutiny on such issues as Rhodesia, China. United Nations."

Mr Alley said those who considered Labour policy on SEATO to be "radical" and "forward" don't realise what a "dead duck it has become."

ANZUS, he said, was the "sheet anchor" of NZ foreign policy.

Any radicalism was tempered by the platform's concern at the possible loss of votes.

The lack of policy, Mr Alley said, could be "a national embarrassment at best, and a national disaster at worst.

"There will have to be some slaughtering of sacred cows, illusions shattered and unpleasant facts to be faced before there can be a coherent foreign policy for NZ."

Mr Roger Boshier said the National Party was concerned with winning elections, not with ideals.

"Theirs are the politics of expediency, not the politics of truth."

He said the main concern at the Labour Conference stemmed not from self-concern, but largely idealistic reasons.

This was particularly so on the part of the young people.