News In Brief

Former New Zealand leader loses the reins of his party

Former Prime Minister Robert Muldoon, who governed for nine years until his election defeat in July, was ousted Thursday as leader of New Zealand's main opposition party. The National Party voted voted to replace Mr. Muldoon with deputy leader Jim McLay.

Muldoon and the National Party took a crushing defeat at the hands of the New Zealand Labour Party in the July elections. Labour's David Lange was elected prime minister.