LEADERS' TRIBUTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 238, 9 October 1933, Page 9

LEADERS' TRIBUTES.

A STURDY FIGHTER.

"HIS WORD HIS BOND."

STERLING QUALITIES ATTESTED. The loss New Zealand has suffered by the passing of Mr. Holland is eloquently attested in the many tributes voiced by his late Parliamentary colleagues and associates. Extracts from numerous expressions of sympathy and regret are appended: — The Prime Minister. "It came as a shock to me when I heard the sad news of the sudden death of Mr. Holland. Those of us who were in the House on Friday afternoon little thought that no more would we see his familiar face. He was a forceful debater and his speechVs were of a high order, giving evidence; of careful study and serious thought, but no matter how heated the debate became, he never dealt an unfair blow. In arrangements that sometimes had to be made between myslf as leader of the House and himself as Leader of the Opposition, his word was his bond, and while it was not" lightly given, when it was, it wae never departed from in letter or in spirit. Ha was a close student of Parliamentary history and procedure, and was most zealous in upholding the dignity of the House and preserving the rights of members. His death leaves Parliament the poorer, and there is no doubt that his party has lost a leader whose only thought was for its interests. My long association with him in Parliament, although in different political camps, gave a knowledge of his sterling qualities and made me feel that I could count on him as a friend. My deepest sympathy is with his wife and family in their sad bereavement." Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates.

"... In the wide area of politier;, over many years past, Mr. Holland played a prominent part. I believe lam doing him no injustice when I say his mind and his actions indicated a preference for radical and socialistic theories, but I feel that lie earnestly held that his convictions and his views were for the good of the community as a whole. Mr. Holland was always found to be a man of his word. I have never known him go back on hie word. A well-informed man,' widely read, and with an extensive knowledge of world conditions, a student who applied himself to his onerous duties without thought of himself, Mr. Holland has commanded the respect of all his fellow members of Parliament. I am sure I am expressing the feelings of all those members closely associated with me in extending to his wife and family our deepest sympathy in their sad and sudden loss. To this I would. like to add my own tribute to Mr. Holland's many excellent qualities and my personal regard for. him as a man." Sir Apirana Ngata. "... Mr. Holland has always taken a keen interest in the Maoris and their affairs, and always desired to know more about, them. I tried to dissuade him from.making the 150 ft climb to the grave of-Mahuta,. but he replied that, when op a visit, to Samoa, he climbed Vailima. to see the grave of Robert Louis Stevenson. That climb, he thought, had been more severe than the one which faced.him to-day. He said he was curiou"? to know how the Maoris buried their dead." . ■