I first met Rob (later to become Sir Robert) Muldoon outside New Zealand’s parliament buildings in 1972. At the time, he was serving as the Leader of the Opposition (the National Party). At the time, I was driving egg trucks around Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, and one of our customers was Bellamy’s, the company that did the catering for the New Zealand parliament.
I would see many members of parliament strolling around. Most were aloof, and some would even snobbishly stick their noses up in the air. Norman Kirk, the Prime Minister at the time, was different. He would say “Good aye” and I would happily say “Good aye” back.
Rob Muldoon, Norman Kirk’s biggest adversary, went further. He even talked to me. He truly seemed interested in what I had to say. One example follows – and he certainly got me thinking.
“Young man” said Mr Muldoon, “What do you think about superannuation?”
“Well Sir. I haven’t really thought about it”
“You should!” Mr Muldoon implored. So I waited for what inevitably would follow.
“What is the average annual salary?” asked Mr Muldoon.
“Around $25000 per year” I replied. “Close enough” he said.
“How long can the average New Zealander expect to work?” asked Mr Muldoon.
“Forty years” I replied. “Quite right” he said.
“So what is $25,000 multiplied by forty?” he asked.
“One million dollars” I replied.
“Very good” said Mr Muldoon, and he slowly clapped his hands, as if in sarcasm.
“So” said Mr Muldoon, “What return on investment would you expect these days for a million dollars?”
“Around ten per cent” I responded.
“At least” said Mr Muldoon in earnest.
“So why are we paying our superannuates who have worked hard building up this good country such a miserable pittance?” questioned Mr Muldoon.
I was a little taken aback, but determined not to lose too much face against such a formidable person.
“Well, Sir” I said, “You make a very good point.”
“Don’t you ever forget it” said Mr Muldoon.
I haven’t ever forgot what he said to me, and I haven’t even forgotten his subsequent reign as Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1975 to 1984.
Robert Muldoon, nicknamed “Piggy” Muldoon was a legend in many ways.
Mr Muldoon had an admirer or two. One was a lady who owned a young pacer. When working out what to call him, she decided that Muldoon spelt backwards would be quite classy. Hence Noodlum was named – and a very promising colt he turned out to be. Rob Muldoon himself was even known to gamble a dollar or two on Noodlum, and come out a winner!
Unfortunately the young colt couldn’t carry on racing. The brilliant Noodlum, undoubtedly one of the greatest pacers ever produced in NZ and the wonder colt of his era, was retired to the stud.
The photo shows Noodlum and Freeman Holmes on Show Day 1974…the day they came off 30m to win the Riccarton Stakes over a top field of 3-year-olds by 14 lengths in 3:21, a national record by almost three seconds.
A winner like the man he was named after.