OVERSEAS VISIT RECONSIDERED

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23883, 27 February 1943, Page 4

OVERSEAS VISIT RECONSIDERED

OPPOSITION LEADER AND ELECTION PREPARATIONS (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, February 26. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland) announced to-day that because of the decision to hold the General Election this year he had reconsidered the question of accepting the invitation ol the Empire Parliamentary Association to visit Britain and Canada. He believed that because of the vital importance of the issues before the country he would not be discharging his duties if he were to be absent from New Zealand for a long period while election preparations were being made.

Mr Holland said his decision had been unanimously approved by his Parliamentary Party but the question whether any other member of the Opposition should go had not been decided.

The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) said that as previously arranged, Mr L. G. Lowry (Otaki) would represent the Parliamentary Labour Party. Mr Fraser said in the House of Representatives yesterday that the election would not be held while Parliamentary delegates were abroad. It was reported to-night that the National Party would appoint another delegate in place of Mr Holland to attend the Empire Parliamentary Association conference. The appointment probably will be decided by Wednesday.