IRRESPONSIBLE LEADER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21142, 28 March 1932, Page 8

IRRESPONSIBLE LEADER.

The Leader of the Opposition may derive some secret satisfaction from the belief that he can adroitly exploit every political situation for his own glory and the benefit of the Labour Party, but he must be surprisingly ignorant of the tenor of the public mind if he imagines that his mid-session statement from Westport will increase his reputation even among his own supporters. Whatever may reasonably be said about the causes of small achievement Parliament up to the recess adjournment. there can be only one opinion among responsible people of all parties of Mr. Holland's statement that the passing of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill and the adoption of the "disastrous" recommendations of the National Expenditure Commission would bring New Zealand to its most "dangerous" hour. In the next sentence he assumes the cloak of the anxious patriot and declares that the avoidance of such an "atmosphere" should 1)0 the concern of "every sane element in the community" ; but if he sees this wisdom why should lie have been the mouthpiece of Ihc few hot-headed irresponsillies who wish to foment discontent? He* stands condemned out of his own mouth as a leader who lacks a sense of responsibility. He knows the unprecedented stress of the times must be faced. He knows that if his party were in power it would be compelled to make many distasteful decisions, but his whole attitude is that of the destructive critic revealing not the slightest sign of the spirit of co-operation that great crises usually create in most British communities. He spoke of the "disastrous" recommendations of the National Expenditure Commission. It is significant that so far not a single suggestion for reducing national expenditure has been made by the Labour Party. Its one idea is to place upon capital ever-increasing burdens which would inevitably mean reduced taxation revenue and increased unemployment. Having resisted all proposals and denounced all practical plans, Mr. Holland returns to his constituency to "sit on the fence," apparently hoping to draw the applause- of the wreckers and nlso of the "sane elements of the community." Altogether his pose is rather ludicrous.