MR HOLLAND'S LECTURE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 20 April 1923, Page 2

MR HOLLAND'S LECTURE

(To Tho Editor)

Sit}—2 attended the above lecture to-night, hoping to hoar ail able and Constructive address on tile aims and objects oi : tho LhbOitr Party. However, I rttiist confess considerable disappointment, as all, or perhaps nearly all of tho address was a destructive criticism of Mr Massoy, dating from the mnch-debated and time-worn subject of tho Reform vote against oldage pensions in 1894 to the present date. Perhaps I should remind Mr Holland that Nelson is not a Reform stronghold; that fact we demonstrated in a decisive manner at tho last general election. At the close of the address tho chairman dropped <'t hint t'tat- it is not customary to question prrty leaders, arid that It was late. Abo the wording of the motion of thanks left no loophole for an amendment. Without encroaching too far on your valuable space, I would like to make two queries on subjects which appealed to me. When speaking on tiie land question much was made of tne present inflated values of land. This inflation to a large extent is due to tho fact of the £15,000,000 accumulated surpluses being thrown broadcast over tho country. When Sir Joseph Ward strenuously opposed this what active assistance did lie receive from the Labour Party? Mr Holland also made the statement at the close of his lecture that the Labour Party was tho only Opposition in the House. If that is so, why are they not contesting the by-elections, or, in other words, why is the Reform Party making such strenuous efforts to retain tl ese seats?—l am, etc. , SEVEN BAR. Nelson, April 19th. P.S.—I think I can now understand why Mr Holland does not accept the challenge to debate, from an opponent of the calibre of our present member for Nelson.