MR. HOLLAND FACES GREAT TASK WITH HUMILITY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23116, 1 December 1949, Page 8

MR. HOLLAND FACES GREAT TASK WITH HUMILITY

(P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Dee. 1. “I am naturally delighted with the result of the poll,” said the leader of the National Party, Mr. S. G. Holland, last night. “The voters have shown their confidence in us. , , “They have accepted the National Party’s policy and personnel, and it will now be our constant endeavour to show that their trust has not been misplaced. “I recognise that the compliment paid me in being elected as the head of the new National Party Government is the greatest which it is within the power of mv fellow countrymen to bestow. I can only sav that I accept this high honour and responsibility with a profound sense of humility and with a sincere determination to spare no effort nor personal sacrifice in meeting responsibilities it entails. “Our onlv purpose as the new Government will be to serve what we consider to be the best interests of all sections of the people. While there will be changes, in line with our clearly-expressed policy, it will be our aim lo bring these changes about smoothly and with as little disturbance as possible. “We have only one aim and desire — and that is to maintain prosperity and production at the highest level in order that the people of all classes will enjov those advantages.

“There L one thing 1 must say at the outset and that is that close and on during relationships with Britain and with other countries of the Empire will be one of the governing principles to be followed. We hold that the main tenance of a strong and undivided British Empire is of paramount importance. not only to Empire countries, but in the interests of world peace and stability. “The National Party may regard this victory with justifiable pride for it represents the culmination of several years of preparation and organisation“l wish to acknowledge the services rendered by our party workers throughout Now Zealand. These good people, whose numbers run into many thousands, have laboured hard and unselfishly and with patriotic zeal in order to bring about this result. It is with a full heart that I acknowledge their indispensable contribution to our victory. “To all party officials and candidates (successful and otherwise) 1 send my greetings and thanks. Many of our candidates stood against heavy odds, but this did not deter them. Good Spirit in Campaign “It is very gratifying to reflect that although this result represents a milestone in our political history the whole| election campaign was conducted in an exceptionally good spirit with no un-

toward incidents. Credit for that belongs to the candidates of both parties. "On such an occasion it is inevitable that whenever someone wins someone else loses. We, the victors on this occasion, should have some thought for those who are the losers for they 100 fought well. In particular 1 wish to pay my respects to my worthy opponent. the Rt. Hon. Peter Fraser, who will always command admiration for the tenacity with which he has led his parly. Mr. Fraser has been a very hard-working Prime Minister and it must afford him no small satisfaction at this time to look back upon the 14 years during which his party held office. “We necessarily disagree with much that has been done, but at the same time we acknowledge that the Labour Government leaves behind it much that will endure. “I am sorry wc shall have no Maori members on our side of the House, but the Maori electors need not fear that their interests will not be sympathetically studied by the new Government. ■ We acknowledge their rights of citizenilsliip and, as far as we are concerned, i they will be on the same footing as all i-other sections of the community.