ELECTION IN BRITAIN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 111, 23 February 1950, Page 6

ELECTION IN BRITAIN

LABOUR MESSAGE TO MR ATTLEE CRITICISM BY MR HOLLAND (P.A.) WELLINGTON, February 22.\ “The New Zealand Labour Party’s attempt to influence the British election by deliberate falsehoods and misrepresentation will be strongly resented by the people of Britain,” said the Prime Minister (Mr S. G. Holland) this evening-, commenting on a message sent by the Labour Party and the Federation of Labour to Mr Attlee. “This is the same type of propaganda which the electors of New Zealand rejected last November.

“I 1 have already stated that I think it improper on the part of a political party outside the United Kingdom to attempt to influence voting there, and I have accordingly refrained _ from sending any message to the candidates or party leaders. I think the New Zealand Labour. Party might have been well advised to exercise the same restraint.

“The people of New Zealand can judge for themselves the truth of the allegations made in the cable message to Mr Attlee. There is no danger that their living standards will be endangered by steps taken by the new Government or by anything that is contemplated. They have, however, been shown the manner in which Labour’s financial policy and general maladministration have been detrimental to the interests of New Zealand and its people. Remedial measures to be put into effect during the present Government’s term -.-f office will be to the benefit of all and will demonstrate to the unprejudiced citizens the fallacies of Socialistic ideas.” Earlier Mr Holland had said he had been approached by a number of Conservative candidates asking him to convey good will and hopes for success to them.

“Everyone knows where I stand politically,” Mr Holland had said. “One of the unwritten rules is that each country conducts its own affairs without outside political influences. It can readily be appreciated that in _ the modern world governments of different political persuasions have to work together in deciding questions of mutual interest. It would not make for harmony in relations if, for example, Labour, or Conservative, or Liberal politicians came to New Zealand to participate in our elections.”