MR HOLYOAKE’S LEADERSHIP

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29265, 25 July 1960, Page 16

MR HOLYOAKE’S LEADERSHIP

Tributes By Party President (From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, July 24. Tributes to the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Holyoake) and to his National Party colleagues in Parliament are paid in the annual report of the party’s Dominion council to be presented by the president (Mr A. McKenzie) to the twenty-third annual conference of the party which will open in Wellington this morning. “I speak on behalf of every member of the council, and I am sure for party executives everywhere, when I record our warm appreciation of the leadership given to the party by Mr Holyoake." says the report. “Mr Holyoake has had a very onerous task in the three years since he became leader of the party. After the first few months as Prime Minister, there followed leadership of the Opposition in political conditions which required that wise and strong leadership which we are all pleased to acknowledge was given by Mr Holyoake.” Mr McKenzie says that early this year Mr Holyoake went on a six weeks’ tour of South-east Asia and the Far East, “and in his contacts with many Governments revealed himself as a statesman well versed in international affairs.” Mr Holyoake enhanced his political stature by his recent strenuous “meet the people” speaking campaign throughout New Zealand, he says. Mr McKenzie says that Mr Holyoake has shown qualities which make him “well worthy to assume the premiership for a long period which we all hope will be his destiny." The 39 National members of Parliament “provided a most alert and vigorous Opposition to the Labour Government,” and “the country could look forward to a very good Cabinet formed from National members, with a good core of competent and experienced administrators,” he continues.

Mr McKenzie refers to the retirement from politics this election of Messrs J. A. Roy (Clutha), J. T. Watts (Fendalton), S. W. Smith (Hobson), J. J. Maher (Otaki) and D. M. Rae (Eden). They have, he says, given noteworthy service to the country an# to the National Party.