Mr Holland Speaks On “Wreckers” In New Zealand

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 March 1949, Page 2

Mr Holland Speaks On “Wreckers” In New Zealand

[SPECIAL TO STAR]

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day

The pledge that the National Party, when it became the Government, would reinsert in the law the provision for secret ballots on all strike and lock-out proposals, in default the penalties which the Labour Government had not been strong enough to enforce, was made' by the Leader of the Opposition Mr S. G. Holland), addressing a meeting in the Fendalton electorate.

• After warning his audience of the danger of Communist influence in the militant Labour unions, Mr Holland said he had reached four main conclusions after close study of the industrial situation.

They were: (1) The average New Zealand worker was* a decent, honest upright citizen, loving peace and fed up with direct action inspired by gangsterism. (2) Most unions in New Zealand were ably and capably led by 'officers who were reasonable advocates and knew their jobs. (3) Practically all the trouble in industry was caused by a few militant wreckers—chiefly Communists or their fellow travellers—who were determined to assume power without any regard for law. (4) The weaknes§ and frequent capitulataions of the Government gave great strength to those who were out to wreck constitutional authority. After emphasising the danger of Communist infiltration, Mr' Holland pointeci out that in eleven ancient European countries now under Communist domination, Socialists had wittingly or unwittingly prepared the ground for the Communists.

“Don't let us fall into that error here,” he added. “We of the National Party are against Socialism and its bigger brother, Communism, lock, stock and barrel, and from beginning to end.’ 1 ’ :