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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 39, Number 24, September 27, 1976.

The Technocrats Rejoice in '73

The Technocrats Rejoice in '73

Labour eventually resurfaced on the Treasury benches in 1973, no longer the party of the working class but more a amalgam of political copromises. Regional development, the environment, compulsory military training - all played their part in Labour's election victory. Foreign policy took a decided turn for the better. These, however, were the actions of a liberal democratic party, not a party whose electoral support was the urban working class. These people's faith met little response.

The two key points of earlier Labour Governments the welfare state and a controlled economy - took a pounding. The technocrats got in and fouled it up but good. Roger Douglas's superannuation scheme has been called many things, but it certainly wasn't egalitarian. Bill Rowling's adherence to capitalist free enterprise economics coupled with Kirk's impatience made the 1973 boom reach ludicrous heights, and made the consequent recession the worse. On the encouragement of overseas finance bodies, import controls all but disappeared.

On involvement with the unions the Government's record was equally bad. The widespread reaction to the use of injunctions against union leaders in 1974 was met by an unyielding Government. "No one is above the law", proclaimed Martyn Finlay clearly recognising the class bias of the law. "I've had a guts-full of militant unions", said Norman Kirk.

Bill Rowling was a little more sophisticated. With "full negotiations" and "meaningful discussions" with the Federation of Labour (whose apron strings to the Government have still to be cut) the Government cut workers' pay by some 8%. Few problems. Muldoon's attacks so far come to 5%. Who said Labour Governments were bad for business?

The years 1972-5 were thus' in many ways a replay of 1957-60. The Government got absorbed in managing the economy, and became more and more technocratic. The Parliamentary Party became divorced from the rank and file who supported it. Membership turned downward again. The result was coupled with an amazingly stupid election campaign and Bill and the girls and boys were on the road again.