Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1925 MR. HOLLAND’S PROTEST.

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 December 1925, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1925 MR. HOLLAND’S PROTEST.

Mr. 11. E. Holland M.P., the leader of the. Parliamentary Labour Party '—what is left’ of in a protesting mood, last evening. Interviewed by the Westport representative of our morning contemporary, Mr. Holland waxed indignant a.bput the appointment of Mr. C. P. Skerrett K.C., to the Chief Justiceship, because of • the new Judge’s connection with an antilied organisation. Outside Labour circles/that'will not be regarded as a serious cause for objection. To be opposed to the Labour platform is common to all Judges and I most other people of intelligence, and it would be extremely difficult to fill properly public positions if it were 'insisted that the holders must first accept the weird doctrines of Mr. Holland’s Party. Mr. Skerrett and Mr. Coates will probably keep cool no matter how /‘emphatic is the protest of the whole Labour Movement,” as threatened by Mr. Holjand. Mr. Skerrett is qualified for the Chief Justiceship, but whether it is fair that he should be appqinted over 'the heads of those who have already given years of service on the Bench, is another matter. Mr. Skerrett’s new appointment did not exhaust the capacity of Mr. ’Holland to “protest.” He denounced those who were hinting that he may resign his seat in Parliament. After learning of this attitude of his Leader, Mr. J. 0 ’Brien also got cross, and spoke mysteriously o'f “propaganda from the other side.” Of course, the “Star” ;had to be condemned. It is true that we recently published the following innocent paragraph : “It is rumoured in Greymouth that Mr. 11. E. Holland, M.P. for Buller, is likely to resign his seat, to take up journalistic work, in which event, it is stated, that Mr. J. O’Brien, will contest the Buller seat. ’ ’ It will be noted that we were careful to disclaim all responsibility for the rumour." That such a report was about in certain quarters in Greymouth was a fact, and we published it for what it Ayas worth. Mr. Holland and Mr. 0 ’Brien can deny it without getting cross. After all, the “Argus” started this sort of rumour. Its Westport correspondent, a few days ago, was responsible for the publication of a statement that Mr. Holland was to go to Australia, resigning the Buller seat to Mr. P. Webb, as soon as the latter was qualified to sit in Parliament. The “Argus” apologised next day for publishing this report, and if we have hurt Mr. Holland’s feelings by our own nebulous “local,” we, too, express regret,—and trust that he will not bring against us, an “emphatic protest from the whole Labour Movement.” All will be glad to learn that Mr. Holland’s health is good, and all will trust that his

forthcoming visit .to. Australia will be enjoyable. Whilst in Sydney, he will have ample opportunity of learning first-hand of the peril the Communists' are. to the Labour Afoyemept, apd it is to be. hoped that he will return to New Zealand, determined to wage active war against the Communists here; especially. those in Buller, notably at Blackball and Paparoa. Perhaps the “Argus” would support him in such a campaign; on the other hand perhaps it would not.