LABOUR PARTY,

Grey River Argus, 15 November 1919, Page 3

LABOUR PARTY,

\ MR HOLLAND WELCOMED.

Mr H. E. Holland M.P., who arrived by Thursday's expross Avas met at the raihvay station by a large number of representative Labour peopTe, ana was afterwards accorded a welcome at a social at the Druids Hall.

A euchre tour»ament preceded the social, the prize winners being: — Mr D McGirr, first (bag of sugar); and Mrs Nelson, second (box 'of tea). The prizes were presented by Mr Holland, who after being Avelcomcd by the L.R.C. President, delivered a short address covering the political situation and the work of the session. Mr Holland declared that the session had toeen remarkable for the complete harmony and solidarity of the small Labour group,. f as well as for the manner in which the Masscy and Ward parties coalesced against Labour in the divisions. He dealt pointedly with. tho efforts of certain paid pre*> 3 agents of the Liberal Party to libel the Labour Party by means of carefully prepared statements Avhich had no basis of fact. He claimed for .the Labour Party that it had completely justified its presence in tho House, and had made a great fight against the overwhelming odds of the Tory-Liberal combine. This com bine demonstrated tho need for heavily reinforcing the Party in the next Parliament. He declared the Party's prospects were extremely bright in a multiplicity of electorates and predicted that in the forthcoming Parliament they would haA'e greatly a increased strength and that it was practie:«liv ccr tain that in the election 16 follow they would win sufficient seats to give them possession of the Treasury Benches. He urged that solidarity of action, organisation, and enthusiasm Avere necessary to make victory certain.

Mr Holland was repeatedly applauded during the course of his address. The function, Avhich was organised by the social committee of the Labour Party. Avas markedly successful. Dancing was kept up till 1.30 a.m. The music was in the capable hands of Mr W. Williams (piano), assisted by Mr Crompton (cornet).