A BRIGHT-AUGURY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIII, Issue 236, 3 September 1943, Page 4

A BRIGHT-AUGURY.

The five-prong, programme which Mr Holland as Leader of the Opposition presented . to Christchurch electors received splendid endorsement from them. This was the opening of

the National 1 Party's campaign and the cordial reception given to Mr Holland augurs well for the Party's success in this election of far-reaching importance, "We will give the people good government without class discrimination, without fear, and with honesty and consideration for every citizen," he said, and in these words are to be discerned the aspiratitißs of all people ranged under the National banner and those who own no political

'allegiance. More than ever is it apparent that nothing but government in: the interests of all the people is urgently needed here. That is the good government of which Mr Holland spoke and which the people showed they want. There was a striking contrast between Mr Holland's opening speech and the Prime Minister's. The latter spoke in his own electorate, where opposition is strong, and he was hampered no doubt by the fact that his Party's manifesto had not then been issued. He could recite only the Government's past achievements and satirically describe the National Party's manifesto as "stealing old clothes, some of which don't exactly fit." The Labour Party will find, however, that the public are not concerned to-day with what happened in the depression. There is a war to be won and a peace structure to be built, both of which are tasks of the greatest magnitude. The public are not satisfied that rehabilitation has been dealt with as fully and as expeditiously as possible, or that the country's manpower has been efficiently used. Moreover, the old members of the Labour Party still mainly comprise its Cabinet; very few of the younger members have had an opportunity to rise. On the other hand the National Party's team is "mostly young, nearly all New Zealanders," and as Mr Holland adds all anxious to build a better New Zealand. In a day when younger men, active in mind and body, are required, the National. Party offers the best choice.