NO SWEEPING VICTORY

Chronicle (Levin), 28 November 1946, Page 5

NO SWEEPING VICTORY

-Press Association

Mr. Holland Surveys Result NATIONAL PARTY GA1NS

By Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, Nov. 28. In an analysis oi' the result of the election, the Leader of the Opposidoh, Mr. S. G. Holland, said it was clear that it would be some days oefore the final decision would be known. As nearly as he could assesa it, Labour had forty certain seats aid Nanonai rhiruy-four, while in ihe other six doubtful seats. the National Party had eVery prospect jf success. Three facts which had emerged, kaid Mr. Holland, were that there had been 110 sweeping or record fictory as had been forecast, that it appeared certain the Government's jtrength had been reduced, and „hat had the electoral boundaries lot been altered there was everj possibility that the Labour Govrrnment would have been defeated In the readjustment of seats under the revision of boundaries, /he National Party had lost three more than the Labour Party, said ;Mr. Holland. Not only had his party made up this leeway, but ■here appeared every prospect of ts increasing its strength in the House. The people, having given lieir decision, it was his first duty to say that the decision would be xccepred, but theie were several features of the election which he Gelt heeded comment. They were hat the issues had been more iearly defined than on any previtus occasion, that there had been .10 side issues to cause confusion, ao war situation, no third party and very few Independents. Moreaver, the people had had eleven /ears of the Government's admin-istrat-ion to assist them in making ( heir decision. "The National Party accepts the lecision as the will of the people, ' taid Mr. Holland. "We think we aave pu't forward the most practilal policy ever made available in his coun'try. We had a magnifi:ent team and we also ^ha.d the idvantage of a splendid organisaion. We have not lacked ahy -pportunity to make known our iews. I have supreme confidence n this policy, and we will continue o strive for the achievement of our abjective. The roed to the Treasury Benehes is often long and arduous, but nothing will be allowed to dim tui' view of the goal we see in view, ir our determination to continlie '.he struggle till ultimate victory is achieved."