The Militant(logo) 
    Vol.62/No.39           November 2, 1998 
 
 
Socialists In New Zealand Get Press  

BY LARS ERICSON
Supporters of the Communist League's election campaign took part in the October 1 rally outside the welfare office. Interviewed by a reporter from the Christchurch Press, mayoral candidate Ruth Gray said the community wage scheme was about "scapegoating and harassing beneficiaries."

Gray has spoken at six public meetings for Christchurch mayoral candidates during the local body election campaign. The largest of these - attended by 800 people - was organized by the Press newspaper. An edited version of this meeting screened the next day on Prime television. In addition, two television interviews with Gray have been screened by local stations.

All the local newspapers have either interviewed Gray or carried campaign statements. This has helped to raise the profile of the campaign. To date, NZ$70 has been raised from election campaign tables set up around the city over the last few months. "I am meeting people who recognize me from photos in the papers and are coming up to say how much they like what we are saying in this election," Gray said. One campaign supporter reported that twice in one week he experienced people refusing to take election material because, as they explained, "I'm already voting for Ruth Gray."

 
 
 
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