4 July 2004
Government seeks to turn the tide in Greymouth
Senior Citizens’ Minister Ruth Dyson will have her opportunity to resell the Government’s position to representatives of
all three West Coast Grey Power Associations in a public meeting in Greymouth’s St John Hall on July 19 at 2pm.
The high-profile Labour minister will meet and mingle with hosts from Greymouth, Buller and Hokitika Grey Power
Associations.
A Grey Power spokesperson for Greymouth says the three associations “represent more than a thousand active Grey Power
members, but are also recognised and respected as major support organizations for many retired families throughout the
greater West Coast area.”
This is one of a series of meetings with Grey Power Associations throughout the country designed to remind older
citizens of their historic allegiance to a Labour Government. Parliamentary sources suggest Labour is more concerned
about the hold Winston Peters seems to have on the retired sector than the recent rise in polls by National.
Minister Dyson has agreed to discuss the issues seen to affect older people in the area including transportation, elder
care in family homes and better funding for rest homes. Ms Dyson was specifically asked for “plain talk.” She will open
the meeting to questions after her talk.
Greymouth Association president Peter Frankpitt announced a special candidate’s meeting in Greymouth on 16 August which
will include representatives from Labour, National, Act, Greens, United Future and Christian Heritage. NZ First has not
responded to the invitation.
ENDS