Mr. Holland On This Year's Election

Chronicle (Levin), 18 March 1949, Page 7

Mr. Holland On This Year's Election

Press Associrttion)

(Per

WELLINGTON March 17. "The most crucial test in New Zea,land's history' J was the . deseriptioii apjjlied today by the Leader of the Upposition (Mr.. S. G. • JB.o.llan.d) to this year 's Generkl Elefetion. Speaking 6n the eve of his depar ture for" *4ustralia; Mr. Hbllaiid said o'h lris returii he would:. be inereasingly oceupied' with preparations. for the eleotiou campaign. "We t'hink the constant biokeriiig and c'onflict we.have today .is.no good for. the mprale of.the coinmunity nor is it good fpr the.cbuntry in t'he fliaterial sense. I a'm sure thousahds of sensible workers realise this; and afe only waiting for a lead. The people are entitled to a nevv. dea/ and. we hope to ha.ve tlie privilege of g.ivipg it^ to them. " The GoyeAmeht«$urinjg the fortheoming session would doubtless make a despairing bid to regain its lost popu' larity, but the people had good reason to be suspicious of suiih last-mihute gestures. The National Party would take its stand on the right of the people to plan their ovvn li,vess and exert their energies and talents to provide for everyone a greateiL p bundance of goods and serviees at- 'lower • prices than Labour has been abfe to give. At present there .was pressure everywliere for higher ' wages, but the best wage rise any® New Zealand worker could get v\iould 1)6 his ability to buy more* with , his mpnby. And- that ViA what tlie National Party wa's-aiiniiig at — a stable internal pi'ice level. "* • * 1 While in Australia .Mr. Hollanid Avi 11 visit Sydney, Brisbnne, ' 'Canl)erraA "Melbourne and Adelaide. His pi.ogrannne is already a full one, and wliile in Oahberra he and his pai'ty ,'wiil. be tlie guests of the Australian Govern,iheiii. He will be aceompanied bv: Mrs. 'Hob land and by Mr. T. G. Wiikes, generai secretary of the National Party. .