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Chronicle (Levin), 21 June 1946, Page 8

MODERATE CHANGES

-Press Association

GOVERNMENT ON DEFENSIVE

Bv Telearavh-

WELLINGTON, June ?0. Speaking at the annual conference of tlie New Zealitnd National Party, which opened to-day, and will continue for two days, the president, Mr. W. J. Sim, K.C., said the wide ehanges made in the eleetorate boundaries had thrown an immense amount of work upon the organisation and the smooth efficiency with which the ehanges had been absorbed and adjusted spoke vo]umcs for the ability, patience and energy of all eoneerned. . A careful examination of the results of the ehanges showed that the legislation had notvachieved the resullrwhich its promoters liad no doubt hoped for, namely, to make the election a foregone cqnclusion. for Labour. The position was quite the reverse and th'py were still very much on the defensive. "Tlie outstandmg feature of the year," said Mr. Sim, "has been the Raglan by-election, which tested the party and its organisation to its full liinit. It is no oyer-statement to say that our. opponhnfs * suffei'ed a very great disappointment. Tlie straight-out majority i,n favour of the National caiididate justifies an infcrence tliaP a perceptible general swing against the Soeialist *State has set in. The highliglit of the campaign was the -great fighting speec.h made by Mr. Ilolland to the hall full of miners and other Labour supporters at Huntly. Confronted by •an organised dexnonstration^he beat it doivii with courage and determination until at the end he was master of the evening. The niglit must always reuiain with Mr. Hollgnd as one of the great moments of his political eareer."