LIBERALS AND EXTREME LABOUR.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18533, 15 July 1922, Page 5

LIBERALS AND EXTREME LABOUR.

DEFINITE ALLEGATIONS BY MR. HOLLAND. WHAT HAPPENED A WEEK AGO? INTERESTING SIDELIGHTS. (By Telegraph.—From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, July 14. Definite allegations that the Liberal Party was prepared a week ago to enter into arrangements with the Labour Party were made by Mr Holland, chair, man of the Labour Party, in the House this afternoon. He made tile allegation and promised to go into the matter next sitting day.

Mr Rolland had been talking of the slurs cost on the loyalty of the Labour Party, by other sides' of the House, and went on to say he was amazed at the statements they had heard from the Liberal Party, seeing that members had been speaking with full knowledge of the facts. "I ask them, I ask the member for Christchurch North, and L want to ask the Leader of the Liberal Party, whose speech 1 did not hear, but who, understand, that never would the Liberal Party have any dealings with the Labour Party, I want to ask whether it was not a fact that less than a week ago they were ready to enter into an arrangement with the Labour Party.” Mr Wilford: ‘‘l say no.” Mr Holland: ‘‘For the purpose of securing proportional representation?” Mr Wilford: "No.”

Mr Holland: "Will the hon. member agree to having all the cards placed on the table?” Mr Wilford; "Yes.” Mr Holland: “All right, 1 will! place them on the table at next sitting of this House. The Liberals l were ready to hold office with the support of the Labour Party, to get proportional representation.” Mr Atmore: “That is not true.” Mr Holland: “With the consent of the Parties concerned, I will put all the cards on the table.” Mr Wilford: “I have given my consent." Mr Holland; "The day lia.* gone by when a man can take up one attitude In secret and another In public. The Labour Party does not stand for that. Did you notice the change of attitude immediately the Auckland conference was over? However, 1 am not going to deal with it any further. I want to say that title ordinary prerogative® 'of <tlre| Honour demands that we shall not take up one attitude in secret and another in open. I want to agree with the Prime Minister that the .fight of the future will be between the men on these benches (Labour benches) and the men on those (Government oencnesj. Mr Lysnar; "The Liberal Patty is stealing your platform. What about that?"

Mr Holland: “The Liberal Parts’ will not steal the Laho ir Party’s platform. You need have no fear of that.”

Mr Atmore: “You could, leave it about Quite safely.” Mr Holland: “The member for Nelson had better not say too much.”

Mr Atmore: “You can’t intimidate me."

Mr Holland: "No, but we might look into your past connection with the Reform Party.” Mr Atmore: “There was no connection with the Reform Party.” Mr Holland: “Your past dependence upon them!" The Incident then closed.