Mr Holland's Speech.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18347, 2 April 1925, Page 8

Mr Holland's Speech.

In the speech which lie delivered last night Mr H. E. Holland, the leader of the Labour Party, did little more than repeat the rather dull stuff which he has been unloading upon audiences in other towns, and there are only two points in it which call for remark just now. The first is his complaint concerning the reports of his meetings which arc circulated by the Press Association. We have thought that the Press Association has really been treating him very well; and although he may imagine that he is so wise and witty that hia stock speech is worth printing over and over again, and printing at great length, the newspapers and the Press Association know that the public does not share his opinion. If Mr Holland wishes, to become and remain prominent in the news, his best plan is to find something worth saying and to say it well. As a matter of fact he has sometimes done this, his speeches are worth recording only for the purpose of reminding the people of the extravagant and subversive policy for which he stands. The suggestion that the Press Association studies the interest of any political party is quite without foundation, and wc feel obliged to say that Mr Holland knows this quite well. The only other point which we- need refer to is MiHolland's persistence in presenting the figures relating to land occupation in .1 fashion designed to mislead. He wishes it to be believed that the country is groaning under land monopolists. It is a fact that a third of the area under occupation is held in blocks of over 10,000 acres, but this is land upon which nobody, even if inspired by thehighest Socialistic ideals, could make a living except on a very large holding. And the number of holders of smaller areas—areas up to 320 acres—has steadily and continuously increased.