The Northern Advocate “NORTHLAND FIRST.” Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1944. MR. HOLLAND’S VISIT.

Northern Advocate, 26 April 1944, Page 4

The Northern Advocate “NORTHLAND FIRST.” Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1944. MR. HOLLAND’S VISIT.

THE Leader of the Opposition, Mr. S. G. Holland, who is touring Northland, has good reason to be pleased with the reception he has received at various points of the territory so far visited. His tour is being made for the purpose of renewing acquaintance with the northern districts of the Dominion in order that he may be the better able to understand the problems confronting the people and to advance their interests. At the same time, his investigations cannot but strengthen his frequently expressed opinion that Northland possesses remarkable potentialities for development if the best use is made of opportunities as they present themselves. Mr. Holland stressed this point when addressing a % meeting of friends and supporters at the Whangarei Town Hall on Monday evening. He was greeted by a very large audience, and his reception was of a highly enthusiastic nature. The meeting was a practical demonstration of the interest which the community is taking in political questions during a period unprecedented in the history of the Dominion. Mr. Holland’s summing up of the prospects for advancement in Whangarei and Northland generally was of a very cheering character. As a successful business man and a farmer, he was justified in speaking decisively upon this subject. His opinions must necessarily carry weight. They should inspire farmer and industrial worker to put the best foot forward to carry Northland to maximum productivity. In this connection, Mr. Holland made a special appeal to dairy farmers to concentrate upon increasing output of dairy produce in order to meet an urgent national and international need. He appealed to farmers to put aside any political or other considerations and to throw their whole weight into the task of helping to provide food for the troops of the United Nations, the civilian population of Britain, and the millions of other nationals who would require to be rescued from starvation when peace is restored. . This appeal, which was also made with force by the chairman of the Dairy Board, Mr. W. E. Hale, at its conference in Whangarei, will doubtless be responded to by everybody who has the ability to contribute to whgt is a matter of transcendent importance at the present time. Mr. Holland commendably refrained from political controversy at the conversazione, but said he felt impelled to uttei a warning note to his supporters to be on guard against what he feared was the intention of the Government to curtail the Parliamentary representation of the farming community. He referred to the “Country Quota,” which allowed a country electorate to possess 28 per cent, fewer electors than a city electorate. But for this concession, which, with some variations, has been in existence since 1881, in order that farmers might have adequate representation in Parliament, the National Party would have secured only 25 seats instead of o 4 at the last geneial election, and the Government would have secured 52 instead This is a matter of importance to the whole Dominion. There is the strongest of reasons why it, like every other question which affects the welfare of the community as a whole, not of any particular section, should be discussed carefully find dispassionately. Electors are a discerning people as a body, and, despite what may be said to the contrary, they are moved by facts rather than partisan arguments. The existence of a terrible war, in which so many New Zealanders are engaged, and which has brought sorrow to so many homes, is not a time when angry political conti oveisy should be stimulated, but there is real need why questions ot fundamental importance should be calmly considered so that effective action may be taken when the ballot, rather than the bullet, will constitute the Dominion’s bulwark of liberty. It is therefore desirable that the electors should take advantage of every opportunity to make themselves conversant with all aspects of questions likely to be the subject of future debate, in order that they may be able to weigh usefully the arguments presented by party leaders and followers. For that reason Mr. Holland’s review of political questions will serve a good purpose.