POLITICAL SITUATION

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 146, 20 May 1930, Page 2

POLITICAL SITUATION

LABOUR LEADER’S VIEWS. Per Press Association. WAIROA, May 19. Referring to the existing political situation in a speech here to-night, Mr H. E. Holland, Leader of the Labour Party, eaid that lie thought the main effect of the resignation of the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, would reflect itseif through the United Party, which had been built up around Sir Joseph Ward’s personality and wholly owed its continued existence to him. Its elements were so extremely diverse that with Sir Joseph no longer at its head it was more than possible that it would soon find itself beset by internal troubles. That fact might easily hasten a political crisis. So far as the Labour Party was concerned, its declared attitude would not be changed. It would stand by the principles outlined in the decision of a special meeting of the party held in February last and confirmed at the annual Labour Conference at Easter. These include an advanced land settlement poliqy. together with the conservation and encouragement of secondary industries; further absorption of unemployed on works necessary and of a public character, including the effective roading of back-country areas and the speedy completion of justifiable railway works. Standard rates of pay would prevail and relief rates would be abolished. The creation of an unemployment board and unemployment insurance were items on the programme ; also the organisation of credit and overseas marketing of the Dominion’s primary products along the lines of the British Government’s policy. Labour would press for these while the present Government remained' in office. It also favoured a revision of the policy in Western Samoa. If it came into office it would give legislative effect to the proposals. Mr Holland further said that Sir Joseph AVard’s retirement must not be put forward as an excuse for delaying the meeting of Parliament or holding back any part of the legislation promised. In view of the appalling situation in relation to unemployment and the importance of kindred problems almost equaliv serious, Parliament should be called together at the earliest possible moment. It had been suggested that the new Government would require time to make its preparations for the session, but he pointed out that according to intimations made the Government’s programme was well in hand. It was not suggested that the Prime Minister’s resignation would mean a new programme. There ivas no reason why, without waste of time, the House should not get down to business.