NATIONAL PARTY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 271, 28 August 1946, Page 4

NATIONAL PARTY

QUESTION OF LEADERSHIP DISCUSSION IN HOUSE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 27. A remark by Mr W. M. C. Denham (Government, Invercargill) that he believed the note of complaint in the speeches of Opposition members arose from their dissatisfaction with the Leader (Mr S. G. Holland) provoked some animated discussion in the House of Representatives to-jlay. Mr Denham said that although there fiad been denials of any dissatisfaction with Mr Holland’s leadership, there were many who were not satisfied with the policy and tactics of the Leader of the Opposition. Mr F. W. Doidge (Opposition, Tauranga): That is absolutely untrue. Mr Doidge withdrew the remark when Mr Speaker intervened. Mr Denham said the Leader of the Opposition was trying to show his supporters that the National Party was more Labour than the Labour Party, and members of the National Party were becoming definitely alarmed. <

Mr G. H. Mackley (Opposition, Masterton): Wait and see. Mr G. F. Sim (Opposition, Rotorua) said the member for Invercargill was trying to fly a kite when he criticised the loyalty of the National Party to its leader. Had the leader of the Government the same loyalty? Miss M. B. Howard (Government, Christchurch East): Don’t be silly. Don’t be childish.

Mr H. T. Morton (Opposition, Waitemata) said it had been suggested by Government members that the Opposition was not satisfied with its leader. “If members of the Government were as well satisfied with their leader as we are with Mr Holland they would be happier and more contented than they are to-day," he declared, amid a chorus of Opposition “Hear, hears." Mr A. G. Osborne (Government, Onehunga): The member for Pahiatua is not saying a word. Mr K. J. Holyoake (Opposition. Pahiatua) (emphatically): Hear! Hear! Mr Morton said the Leader of the Opposition would be the second born New Zealander to 1 become Prime Minister, of whom the whole country would justly be proud. He predicted that it would be the women of the country who would unseat the present Government.