MR HOLLAND'S TOUR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24776, 28 November 1941, Page 4

MR HOLLAND'S TOUR

INCLUSION OF MIDDI2 EAST PROBABLE ARRANGEMENTS (PA.) CHRISTCHURCH* Nov. 27. The expectation that he would be able to visit the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the Middle East after his visit to Great Britain was expressed to-day by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr S. G. Holland, when speaking to the Christchurch North Committee of the National Party. He said the Prime Minister, Mr P. Fraser, and the Minister of Finance, Mr W. Nash, were anxious that his return to New Zealand should be made via the Middle : East and, if it were possible, they would make arrangements. Mr Holland said he hoped to go to America by sea and then to fly across the United States and the Atlantic to Britain. The expenses of the trip were being met by the Empire Parliamentary Association, but the trip might cost the Government and the National Party something. When he was in Auckland recently a deputation from. the National Party had informed him that he had to return via the Middle • East. If the Parliamentary Association or the Government would not permit the expense, he was to take an aeroplane to the Middle East/even if it cost £SOO. , .-'" I have "just ; completed a three weeks' tour of the country, and everywhere there is the keenest desire that I should visit the Middle East," said Mr Holland, who described Mr J* G. Lowry, the Government's representative on the trip, v as "a capital chap and one of a group from which I would , have chosen a companion." . 1 When making a presentation to Mr Holland, Mr W. A. C; McDonald, chairman of the Christchurch North Committee, said they all hoped it would be possible for the party's leader to visit the Middle East. It was only right that he should visit the troops at the present time and see if anything more could be done for them. i '■- ■■;