NATIONAL PARTY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 November 1940, Page 6

NATIONAL PARTY

MR S. G. HOLLAND APPOINTED LEADER STATEMENT FOLLOWING CAUCUS. MR. HAMILTON'S SERVICES APPRECIATED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. Mr. S. G. Holland, National member for Christchurch North since 1935 has been appointed Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives. This decision was reached by a caucus of the parliamentary members of the National Party, which commenced yesterday and concluded this morning. The ballot was a secret one, but the selection was afterwards endorsed by open vote. At the conclusion of the caucus the following statement was issued:—

“The National Party caucus this morning selected Mr. S. G. Holland as its new leader. A ballot resulted in Mr. Holland's selection, by a clear majority. The selection was then endorsed in an open vote. Mr. Holland will take over his new duties and will lead the Party in the House when Parliament reassembles this afternoon.”

The National Party representation on the War Cabinet, which was one of the principal aspects of the question under discussion by caucus was settled by the unanimous approval of the following resolution: —“This caucus of the Parliamentary Opposition unanimously endorses the appointment of Messrs. A. Hamilton and J. G. Coates in the War Cabinet, and asks them to continue in office and records its high appreciation of the work they hav'e rendered to New Zealand and the Empire as members of the war cabinet.

The following appreciation of Mr. Hamilton's services also was unanimously endorsed by the following resolution: —“This caucus of the Parliamentary Opposition places on record its deep appreciation of the sterling self-sacrificing services rendered to the parly by Mr. Hamilton, as Leader of the Opposition during four arduous years in which, through his inspiring work, strength and prestige, the party has steadily grown.”