THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS MONDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1933 LABOUR'S LOST LEADER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21617, 9 October 1933, Page 8

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS MONDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1933 LABOUR'S LOST LEADER

The tragic suddenness of the death of Mr. Holland adds a special touch of solemnity to the sorrowful event. An end has been swiftly put to enmities and friendships alike, and the ruling thought to-day is of things deeper than politics and more abiding than controversy. In every section of the community is a realisation of the ephemeral nature of even the most far-reaching plans and achievements, a sense of the limits set, inscrutably, inexorably, to all human endeavour. A chill shadow lays its pall on a life full of energy to the last, and in the sudden stillness is an admonishing contrast compelling heed. From this poignant silence all voices save those breathing honest praise are imperatively shut out. Memory ably turns page on page of the record on which the last entry of an earthly career has been unexpectedly made, but with no profanely prying interest —only a wish to do full justice to the dead. In this hour criticism has no place. He is not, here to answer. Rather, to try to look at life as he saw it, to measure his worth and work by the standards that in his best moments he himself would have applied, to speak of him as every mortal man may rightly hope to be appraised at the last by his understanding survivors—this is his duo. And it can be i:iven without any tinge of reluctance or insincerity. "Harry Holland," as his opponents no less than his intimate associates have been long in the habit of calling him, came to an eminent place in this land of his adoption. Circumstances helped, as is the fact in every such attainment, to put him there. Yet he had qualities entitling him to recognition and advancement, and the maintained agreement of his Labour confreres that he was to be trusted with leadership and influence is to be reckoned to him for honour. It is the crown of his devotion to Labour's cause that he died in unshaken possession of this trust. While the reasons for this confidence in him are known best to those reposing it so constantly, others can and do join them to-day in a sorrowful fellowship of appreciation. Mr. Holland's parliamentary service was distinguished by a sleepless zeal for duty. It was evident to many that his health was far from robust and just as evident that he never spared himself. The interests of his party in the day of small things involved unremitting vigilance in order to. make its presence felt, and this vigilance he gave, manifestly devoting himself to a close study of procedure. As the onus of leadership increased in responsibility with the growth of the party, he bore it with an obvious increase of care, until at length, as Leadcfr of the Opposition, he had to bear the brunt of yet more serious conflict in the House. Keen in debate, carefully preparing pivotal speeches on policy, eager to turn to account the changeful opportunities of discussion, he played his part manfully, shunning indulgence in unfair tactics and preferring the way of frontal attack. Throughout his leadership he was eager to use the public platform as a means of seeking popular support, and with this went a remarkable activity in the writing and publishing of pamphlet presentments of his opinions on subjects exercising general thought. Beneath his fervent dialectic could be heard and read a humanitarian motive, and if the immediate necessities of strategy i led him to make the most of passing occasion this underlying purpose was , never far to seek. It matters less i now that the exigencies of party struggle induced a particular approach to vexed questions than that he was attracted by the human outlook. Choosing and using partisan methods as was his wont, he manifestly tried, nevertheless, to keep that outlook in mind. In this he clearly felt a responsibility to express the truth as he saw it, and he is to be judged accordingly.It must be remembered, too, that the responsibility he bore was one that made heavy exactions—a fact not adduced to provide apology but to enable a just estimate of his qualities to be formed. He came to prominence in politics at a time of clashing purposes, holding his place through years of sharp controversy on many issues. He has died in the midst of such conditions, leaving a place that he filled w r ith zest and ability. In the swirl of national politics, where are present many and various reactions from international cross-currents, it is practically impossible to avoid contentions that wax hot. Tolerance of opponents is not easily preserved in such conditions. Of Mr. Holland it can be truly said that, within the confused circle of these eddying influences, he held a course guided by principles. That they were not in all reKpects the principles of others is but another way of saying that he strove to express his own personality, and in this he succeeded. His party, in choosing another for his place, will do well to think most of the best that was in him. Virile Governments were never more needed, but the doing of their tasks, under our British parliamentary system, can be aided bv an Opposition led by care for more than tactical advantage. A leader has fallen ; to find a successor responsive to high national and international impulses is a duty to be performed sorrowfully but with regard to the needs of the time.