Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1940. NATIONAL LEADERSHIP.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 40, 27 November 1940, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1940. NATIONAL LEADERSHIP.

The selection of Mr S. G. Holland as Leader of the Opposition will be received with general satisfaction by the party, for his record in the House of Representatives has proved that he possesses the necessary qualifications. The retirement of the Hon. A. Hamilton was brought about through the ’ncompatibility of his dual position as a member of the War Cabinet and head of the political party. Mr Hamilton vacates his position carrying the thanks of the National Party for his work during a long period, of public service. It may be said of him that he seemed always to have the hard political tasks handed to him and that he has not flinched from them. In the Coalition Government, for instance, he held the portfolio of Labour and Unemployment during the worst days of the depression. Then when he was called to *he National leadership in 1936 the Party s fortunes were at the lowest ebb. It is to his credit that, finding little except discouragement and a heart-breaking uphill struggle, he accepted the trust and carried on with unwavering tenacity. In selecting his successor members of the caucus had to bear in mind the unusually heavy responsibilities attaching to the office at the present time. The satisfactory discharge of those responsibilities require a man in the prime of life, a man alert and vigorous as well as- well-informed, of sound judgment and experienced in political life. the new leader the party should be revivified. Mr Holland has, during his term in Parliament, earned the reputation of being a fair-minded polemic, a close student of political issues and a sound authority on industrial questions. Personally, he has attributes that make him popular on both sides of the House.