“LABOUR ON DOWN GRADE”

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24625, 23 July 1945, Page 4

“LABOUR ON DOWN GRADE”

MB HOLLAND’S VIEW OF RESULT

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, July 22. “The figures in Saturday’s by-election are so decisive and clear that they speak for themselves,” said the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. G. Holland) to-day. - “In one of - Labour’s ’safest seats’ Labour had its majority from 2800 in 1943 to well under 800 last Saturday, with the possibility of the majority being still further reduced when absentee votes are counted. ’ Mr Holland said the result was particularly interesting because there were no complicating factors such as independent candidates. The Labour nominee, Mr Walls, was one of the most popular men in the movement and was very wall" known because ‘of his many years’ service on local bodies in Dunedin. The National candidate, Mr Jones, was a brilliant young returned soldier who was quite unknown before his selection. He would certainly be heard of again. . , “Two facts emerge with crystal clearness,” said Mr Holland. “First there is the big swing against the Government which, coming on top of our earlier successes in Awarua and Hamilton, one a country seat and the other a town seat, shows how widespread the swing really is! Second, the reason for the decision to vote National now of so many people who previously voted Labour, lies in their discontent with the Government over its determination to complete its programme of State socialism and interference with the legitimate rights and freedom of the people. ' “No doubt Mr Fraser will claim the result as an endorsement of the Government’s policy but the reduction of its majority from 2800 to under 800 cannot be lightly put aside. It is the clearest possible indication that the Labour Party is steadily on the down grade and has lost its grip on the people’s confidence. In view of this, the Prime Minister should boldly decide not to proceed with his further programme of State socialisation, pending the General Election next year. Whether he is strong enough to overcome the growing influence and power of outside pressure groups, which decide what 1 the Government may or may not do to-day, and strong enough to bow to the will of the people, remains to be seen. Saturday was a bad day for the Labour Party.” '