NATIONAL PARTY LEADERSHIP

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25679, 16 December 1948, Page 6

NATIONAL PARTY LEADERSHIP

“INDISPUTABLE AND UNASSAILABLE ”

MEMBERS’ TRIBUTES TO MR S. G. HOLLAND

“Mr Holland’s position as leader of the National Party is indisputable and unassailable,” said Mr K. J. M.P., dep qty-leader of the party, in a telephone message from Dannevirke to 500 members of the Canterbury division at a reception in the Winter Gardens last evening to Mr and Mrs S. G. Holland. A welcome to Mr and Mrs Holland was given by Mr E. B. E. Taylor, chairman .of the Canterbury division. The reception was arranged, he said, to say “thank you” to Mr Holland for his unstinted service in a very arduous session and for his leadership of the National Party. • Very little further advance was needed by the party tq make it the Government, said Mr Holyoake. Much of the credit for the strides made by the party was due to Mr Holland, who had been able to weld the 38 members into a very effective team. The party had united all opponents of Socialism and Communism. Because of Mr Holland's work no town versus country division had ever arisen in the party. The North Island versus South Island issue had never arisen, and would never arise, in the party under Mr Holland’s leadership. The party’s opponents had attempted to destroy the leader, and consequently the party, by casting doubts on his qualities of leadership and the loyalty of his team. From his position in the party and in the House, he could give an unqualified denial to the innuendoes. He was

sure all the party members were fitting themselves for the responsibility of winning the fight and accepting a part in thq government of the country. The tribute to Mr Holland was supported by Mr J. T. Watts, M.P., who said he spoke for the rank and file of the party in expressing deep appreciation of Mr Holland’s work in the last 12 months. The party was fighting a cause. It was not merely anti-Socialis-

tic but pro-freedom and pro-private enterprise. The party could not have, reached its present position without Mr Holland’s able and untiring efforts. Mr Holland had persuaded the best types of men to offer themselves as candidates and had given impetus to the force of the organisation. He had made mistakes, but the criticism was a mark of respect of his ability and standing. Mrs Holland had carried out her duties with charm and dignity. Mr W. H. Gillespie, M.P., also paid a tribute to Mr Holland’s leadership. No leader of a party could have had more enthusiasm and loyalty in the last eight years, said Mr Holland, expressing his gratitude for the good wishes behind the reception. The Parliamentary party was a happy, united, and hard-working team, devoted to the cause.