"UNION BOSSES"

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24828, 30 January 1942, Page 4

"UNION BOSSES"

PART IN GOVERNMENT ATTACK BY MR HOLLAND BARRIER TO' NATIONAL UNITY (Special) CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 29. The Leader of the Opposition (Ml S. G. Holland) predicted in a speech at Tinwald in the Temuka by-election campaign that if a general election were held now the National Party would be a "sitting shot." He expressed the view that if the election last November had been held the National Party would have gone close to winning. When his party was elected its first act would be to invite the Labour Party to assist in forming a national government for a national effort for the successful prosecution of the war. The "union bosses" felt that they could not agree to the formation of a non-party government because they would lose control, said Mr Holland. Control in the conduct of public affairs should be returned to the selected representatives of the people and not retained by the representatives of any sectional interests. He did not think that New Zealand could give a maximum war effort while one party insisted that it should assume all the responsibilities of government. The " union bosses" felt that they had fought for shorter hours, higher pay and payment for holidays. Unless the war was won, the whole lot would go. " We can maintain living standards only by those left behind working a little longer and a little harder," Mr Holland said. Without appearing in the role of a pessimist, he had to say that few r>eople realised how slender was the thread by which the Empire and New Zealand were hanging on to the very right to exist. "I am convinced that if the people had the opportunity of expressing themselves, at least 80 per cent, would vote in favour of a National Government for the duration of the war and a period afterwards," said Mr. Holland, who was applauded. "People are asking what is it that stands m the way of two parties which want to get together and are pleading for unity. Mr considered opinion is that the reason for the Government's unwillingness to form a National Government for the national good is the control by outside influences who are not prepared to forgo the advantages which have accrued from Labour'sjpeing elected the Government, The union bosses fear that if a National Government were formed Parliament would carry out its proper function and run the country and that they would lose a power which they have never had the right to possess."