HON W. A. HOLMAN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16479, 19 February 1914, Page 5

HON W. A. HOLMAN.

PREMIER OF N.S.W. VISITS THE , CITY,

A CIVIC RECEPTION

AUSTRALIAN LABOUR PARTY'S PROSPECTS.

The Hon W. A. Holman, Premier of New South Wales, who arrived in Christahurch yesterday, is a young man, considering the high position he occupies. Grey has not yet begun to streak hp 3 dark black hair. He is tall and straight and athletic, and he moves with the ease and grace of a man who might not yet have reached his prime, and certainly has not passed it. In his youth he was,an oarsman, and tlie training he underwent in the boats has set its stamp on his form. He has a clear voice, and speaks slowly but with an air of conviction, lie is accompanied by Mrs Holman. who is an authoress and a writer for the Press, and in those capaoitios has done some very good work in Aiistralia. THE PROGRAMME OF THE LABOUR PARTY.

Chatting of the Labour Party's prospects; in his State, Mr Holman said that they were decidedly bright. It was recognised that the party had fought its way to power, and that, whatever it might do or leave undone, it would at least have a reasonable term of office. That was recognised by the leaders of the Opposition and by Opposition journals, which evidently accepted the position, and he did not think that there was any probability of the Government encountering; contumacious tactics. At tho same time, of course, the Government expected to receive criticism.

"Then the Government feels that it has a clear field for the reforms it wishes to carry out?" he was asked. Ho said that that was so. As far as he could see, the only danger Was that the party, outside of Parliament, might think that more should be done than could be done. It. remained to be seen if the party could stand prosperity as well as it had 6tood adversity. Personally, he had no fear in. that direction whatever. It was not that any particular action of the party was extremist. As a matter of fact, every person who took up a reform with enthusiasm usually was an extremist on that question. All the members of the party were revolutionists in a, way. They all wished to bring about changes by constitutional means. Consequently some were extremists.on,one subject, some on .another. • The programme immediately ahead of the party included land settlement, the amendment of the industrial legislation, the reduction of the cost of living, legislation dealing with the health of the community, and a considerable expansion of the Government's work in regard to trade enterprises. The programme had not'been discussed by the Cabinet, but those were the lines upon which the party wished reform to progress. ■ ARBITRATION IN NEW SOUTH WALES. Asked specially in regard to the arbitration scheme in New South Walfes, Mr Holman said that although it required amendmen't it had done much good in settling industrial disputes. The Arbitratipn Court" in,-. New. Soujtli,-Wales,-as in New Zealand, was a .tribunal of judicial inquiry. It was presided over by a Supreme Court Judge, and his presence had been quite acceptable to both'parties. There was no wish to abolish the Judge as president. The Court had been very fortunate in having exceptionally capable and tactful judges as presidents, which,' perhaps, had a great" deal to-do with the-success of that pftrjb of the scheme:-'. ; '' ;: " THE 'CAUCUS PLEDGE. ' ; r '. : ''"

In further conversation Mr olman was asked if the principle of a caucus pledge of candidates, which was observed bj the New South Wales Labour Party as well as by the New Zealand Labour Party was regarded as undesirable. He said that his party insisted ivjiqh. candidates pledging them' solves when itvWqs the.third party-ill the. political world,i The principle was relaxed when the party became the second party, and now, when the party was in power, it had fallen into abeyance. But it had raised no feeling amongst the party's candidates, and it certainly had helped in bringing about the solidarity of the party when it was fighting the odds brought against it.

THE CITIZENS' WELCOME.

SPEECHES BY NEW ZEALAND LEGISLATORS.

Mr and Mrs Holman were given a civic reception by the Mayor (Mr K. Holland) in, the City Council's Chamber at 11 a.m. yesterday. _ There.was a good attendance of citizens at the gathering," several meraoers of Parliament and representatives of local bodies being present. The Mayor said that it gave him much pleasure to give a hearty welcome to the Prime Minister of a great Australian State. Ho had tried to induce the visitors to stay for a long time in Christchurch. The Australian bowlers were charmed with Christchurch and New Zealand. He hoped that Mr Holman,* in his turn, would see that New South Wales and New Zealand could reciprocate in regard to produce. He hoped that the visitors would have a very pleasant time in Christchurch. (Applause.) Mr G.'W. Russell, M.P.; said that it also gave him pleasure to welcome the visitors. New" Zealand really was an offshoot of New South Wales. As a matter of fact, New Zealand originally was a part of the Mother State, but responsible government 'was established here three years before it was established in either New \ South Wales or Victoria. New Zea- [ land had made a very good 'use of the opportunities offered by responsible government. The form was practically the same as that adopted by the two Australian colonies. He was pleased to r«nd Mr Holman's references to arbitration in that morning's papers. The arbitration scheme had done much, for New Zealand, and could do more. It was hoped that industrial disputes would be settled on a basis of justice to both employed and employer. New Zealanders envied the great State of which Mr Holman was the head. They envied New South Wales its foreign trade of £65,000.000 a year; but New Zealand was ' coming forward in that direction, and some day might out-distance New South Wales. As to; defence. New Zealand could not keep step with Australia in regard to expenditure on defence. New Zealand would havo to continue to develop its country in the meantime, and not attempt to rival the magnificent navy of the Commonwealth. In any case, New Zealand and Australia would stand side by side in cases of trouble. On behalf of the Liberal Party, which was represented in the House of Representatives by every Canterbury member except three, or perhaps four, he welcomed Mi- Holman. Mr L. M. Tsitt, M.P., said that Mr Holman's brilliant career was known to all, but higher than his great oratory was his "'-~TPssivo spirit and his humanitarianism. New Zealanders recognised that he was strenuously trying to lay in his own country the. foundations of a great, nation. He thought that it would be a (rood thing to have ah interchange of Governments in Australasia, and for Mr Holman to take Mr Massey's place for a., time. (Laughter.) But, ap,art from joking, Mr Holman would 1 realise that New

Zealand was rich in opportunities, and had a snlendid heritage. . Mr 1\ H. Davey, M.P., said that he also wished to join heartily in tho welcome. Mr Holman had made his mark in Nqw South Wales. Ho led the first Labour Party of any strength in these colonial possessions. As to a naval policy, Australia was working out its own destiny, and New Zealand should do the same. Reciprocity had been established already with New South Wales in regard to old age pensions. Mrs Holman had made her mark in literature, as her pen-name was well knoAvn in Australasia, and he wished to congratulate her. (Applause.) Mr J. M'Combs, M.P., said that as a member of the Labour Party, Known in this country as the Social Democratic Party, he added his welcome. The Labour movement, for which he stood, was a world-wide movement which aimed at the emancipation of the people politically and industrially. When its object was achieved, he hoped that armies and navies would not he necessary. It was an international movement and was not restricted to any country or any nation. THE PREMIER'S REPLY.

MORE FREQUENT VISITS BY PUBLIC WANTED.

Mr Holman, who was loudly applauded, said that he acknowledged the flattering reception given to him and Mrs Holman. It was unprecedented in Mrs Holman's experience to be met by such a representative gathering. The compliment was deeply appreciated. It was based, of course, on the position they held in the public life , of Now South Wales. But he was sufficiently human to feel the personal note in the speeches made. He was strongly tempted to plunge the gathering into an orgy of political discussion. He might say at least that he valued the recognition of the high intentions of tho movement with which he was associated. People did not come to New Zealand to teach democracy, but to learn it, especially from the work of men who lived here in the early days. He felt that nothing but good could come from a more frequent interchange of visits by public men of New Zealand and Australia, There would be less likelihood of misunderstandings that would lead to divergent paths. If he was master of his own movements he would stay in Christchurch and wait for the scheme of interchange of Governments propounded by Mr Isitt. (Laughter.) He would enter upon a share of the politics "of New Zealand with joy. He did not helieve that New Zealand had cause to envy New South Wales. Here there were all the essentials for healthy frowth. Everywhere visitors to New ealand' saw evidences of the farsightedness of New Zealand's founders aijd of the public spirit of the people of the present day. Having observed with a trained eye the social and industrial life of New Zealand, he could say. that the dominion had done well and had laid the foundations of future greatness broad and deep. In every corner of the dominion, apparently, there was the same solid progress. THE PROGRESS OF SYDAj^Y. Sydney, said Mr Holman, was the greatest city in the Empire outside of tho United Kingdom, but it had its weakness, as it was steadily drawing people from the country. The greater it became, the greater it had a tendency to become. New Zealand had been saved from that danger by decentralisation. It had prevented New Zealand girls from seeing some of the latest fashions, and the New Zealand poet had to seek recognition in Svdney';.m tho " Bulletin,"' but New Zealand had tho foundation of a. thoroughly healthy national life. The settlers had an evident pride iu their careers. As he had said, there were evidences of foresight, and it was nowhere more noticeable than in this city, which had been built well. It was a gratification to any Australian politician to come to New Zealand and see the evidences of the indomitable spirit..of,the Anglo-Saxon race. He hoped' that New South Wales and New Zealand would .continue to be near and dear to each other. While hero he hoped to meet niany friends. When lie left he would carry away happy recollections of a very pleasant holiday.

MR HOLMAN'S MOVEMENTS 'TO LEAVE THIS' EVENING'.

Mr Holman will 6pend to-day. in Christchurch, but he has not made any arrangements of a public character. He will leave for Wellington this evening, and will leave Wellington for Sydney to-morrow.

OUR VISITOR.., sss?:

AN APPRECIATION

(By D. G. SULLIVAN.) How rarely do our preconceived notions concerning the appearance of those whom we. have never; met, ■ bat, have "mentally pictured, stand the itest of actual acquaintance?- ■'".... Epr'ely."indeed '.• Yet for onco I have; Deep, v per>mittcd to enjoy the novel experience. As I stepped aboard the 3laori, and confronted somewhat unexpectedly'the doughty Labourite'who'has confounded the prophets, and who led his party in the Mother State of the Commonwealth to a magnificent triumph, I beheld the concrete realisation of my mental pictures. Dark-haired and dark-skinned, strong-jawed., and of athletic frame, one of the great, prizes of political life has been won by W. A. Holman at ari age when most men are hut setting forth to participate in that soul-test-ing, mind-harassing yet eternally fascinating contest. The one unexpected feature of his striking personality added in good measure to the exceeding pleasure of an hour's discussion. Somehow one does not associate 6uch enticing pleasantness and obvious desire to please with the thought of Premiers, yet if one the charming lady who represents his choice in matrimony and whose literary labours have added honour to his name, I have not met a more congenial companion than the Hon W. A. Holman.

The Premier talked without apparent restraint on many matters-—his hopes of doing something really worth while for the masses in New South Wales, and the difficulties of the position in the Federal Parliament. By the way he does not anticipate an immediate Federal election. Mr Holman is convinced that-if there was on early election for the Federal Parliament, that Mr Andrew Fisher would be returned to power with a substantial majority—and Mr Joseph Cook, the present Prime Minister, recognises that fact. _ Venturing gently on to possibly delicate ground, I suggested that Mr Beeby and his independent party have been eliminated from New South Wales politics. "Yes," said the Labour Premier, "Mr Bceby undertook an impossible task. . There, was not room for another party in our State. T spoke to" Mr Beeby of his inevitable fate, lacking as he did organisation and every other necessary factor in the attainment of success."

And so wo chatted on. What matter though New Zealand Labourites differ from him in some things. We are proud of him. His ideals are our ideals. By means of independent working-class representation in Parliament,'and by the process of legislation, lie would redress every grievance that afflicts Labour, satisfy on its behalf every moral claim and according to the decrees of his fate, lead or help it up the mountain paths to its destined elevation.. Maker of Cabinets, journalist, lawyer, statesman. Premier.' Surely such • a career ere, his fortysecond year is left behind is but the prelude to, still mightier deeds.