“Elections Speak Eloquently For Themselves”

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 125, 30 May 1944, Page 4

“Elections Speak Eloquently For Themselves”

OPPOSITION LEADER’S CALL NO PREPARATION (Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 28. “The results of the municipal elections speak eloquently for themselves,” said the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. S. G. Holland), In an address to the annual meeting of the Avon branch of the National Party this evening. “Of course, the National Party Is not entitled to claim credit for the result, but we cannot be blamed for taking notice of them as they demonstrate the remarkable swing in public opinion which is a development of that shown in the general election. “We must be careful not to allow ourselves to be carried away by this clear indication of coming changes. Wherever I have been I have detected unmistakeable indications of the change in public opinion and Saturday’s voting has strengthened my previously expressed view that' after the next general election the National Party will be called upon to form a Government. That prospect should impress on us the vital need of preparing ourselves for that great responsibility. “We must always remember that it is not just office we are seeking. That would indeed be but an empty aim. We merely seek office as a means to an end, and that end is the good we can do in the interests of the public we seek to serve. “We have two and a-half years Is which to complete our preparations and not a day, not an hour, must be lost in our urgent task of preparing ourselves for the great opportunity of Government. ’ ’