“LABOUR STILL ON DEFENSIVE”

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24907, 21 June 1946, Page 6

“LABOUR STILL ON DEFENSIVE”

EFFECT OF ELECTORATE CHANGES “ The Press ” Special Service WELLINGTON, June 20. A careful examination of the results of the electorate changes showed that the legislation nad not achieved the result which its promoters had no doubt hoped for, namely, to make the election a foregone conclusion for Labour The position was quite the reverse, and Labour was still very much on the defensive, said Mr W. J. Sim, K.C., president, at the opening of the annual conference of the New Zealand National Party. The conference will continue for two days. “The outstanding feature of the year, ’ said Mr Sim. “has been the Raglan by-election, which tested the party and its organisation to its full limit. It is no overstatement to say that our opponents suffered a very great disappointment. The straightout majority in favour of the National candidate justifies an inference that a perceptible general swing against the Socialist State has set in. The highlight. of the campaign was the great fighting speech made by Mr Holland to the hall full of miners and other Lacour supporters at Huntly. Confronted by an organised demonstration, he beat it down with courage and determination until at the end he was master of. the evening. That night must always remain with Mr Holland as .one of the great moments of his political career.”