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the first time, officials of both Manly and Warringah councils seemed approachable: they were anxious to discuss their problems with this dynamic young minister, who was changing many of the laws under which they operated.

        We had started doorknocking--the traditional method of grassroots politicking.   A candidate thereby has the task of confronting a voter on his own terrritory, face to face.   The effect on the voters is hard to assess, with their minds influenced by many other factors.   The effect on the candidate can be quite traumatic.   He knows that he is intruding into someone else's home, broaching a delicate subject.   The real question in the candidate's mind is "Will you vote for me?"   But he hesitates to ask directly.   A rebuff hurts and a series of them could destroy morale.

        Rod Power, Willie and I started one afternoon in an area of Harbord which had given the strongest Labor vote in the council elections.   In that campaign, Rod had received a good response from doorknocking, and he was keen to do it again.

        We got out of the car at an intersection and headed in different directions.   At the corner, I saw the sign, a level street of modest cottages at the northern edge of an electorate, "Stewart Avenue".   This seemed like the right place to start.   There was no answer to my knocking at the first house.   At the second, the only response was a dog barking from behind

  

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