MR. H. E. HOLLAND ON THE SITUATION

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 52, 24 November 1928, Page 11

MR. H. E. HOLLAND ON THE SITUATION

WAITING FOR THE PRIME MINISTER By Telegraph.—Press Association. Westport, November 23. A Labour victory ball was held in the Theatre Royal to-night Mr. H. E. Holland, after thanking the electors for having given him such a handsome victory in the town of Westport and in his electorate, went on to refer to the political situation. He had expected a statement from Mr. Coates by this time indicating his intentions, but this had not come. However, he thought, seeing the Reform Party was so hopelessly beaten, Mr. Coates would not attempt to carry on; that he would either tender his resignation to the Governor-General or call Parliament together very shortly and not attempt to carry on over Christmas. He thought that just as Mr. Coates had not been able to live up to his election promises of 1925. so Sir Joseph Ward would not be able to live up to those of 1928. What the electors had done was to drive the two parties opposed to Labour closer together. The day was not far distant when Labour would be the only alternative to the party on the Treasury benches. When Mr. Coates had intimated the action he intended to take he (Mr. Holland) would have a statement to make as leader of the Labour Party. Mr. Holland had a rousing reception, the gathering rising and singing, “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”