WAR COMES FIRST

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 121, 24 May 1941, Page 10

WAR COMES FIRST

MR. HOLLAND'S VIEWS

If the National Party is elected to power it will set about the formation of a national non-party Government, drop party politics, and get on with the war, according to the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. S. G. Holland), who. in an address to the Dominion conference of the National Party yesterday, declared that the public were in no mood for party politics and that the only thing that mattered was the successful prosecution of the war.

Mr. Holland pointed out that in view of the fact that the Government of the day had rejected all offers for the formation of a non-party Government, and was itself proceeding apace with preparations for the General Election, the National Party was obliged to make similar preparations.

A proposal that the party should adopt a badge to be worn during the election campaign was turned down by the conference by a large majority. The view taken by the majority of the delegates was that to display badges at the present time might tend to engender partisan feeling and cause disunity.

A suggestion by Mr. W. 11. Hall (Timaru) that the Leader of the Opposition might well pay a visit to the New Zealand troops overseas met with the approval of the conference, and it was decided that the possibility of his doing so should be investigated. OFFICERS ELECTED. Mr. A. Gordon," Hamilton, was reelected president of the party. Mr. Holland, in announcing Mr. Gordons re-election unopposed, said his handling of the party's affairs had won the admiration and appreciation of every member.

The vice-presidents elected were Messrs. F. G. Massey (Auckland), H. Dent (South Auckland), C. W. D. Bell (Wellington), G. H. Grigg (Canterbury), and G. W. Lane (OtagoSouthland).

Mrs. F. I. Kaye (Wellington) was elected North Island women's vicepresident, and Mrs. T. S. Smith (Otago) was elected South Island women's vice-president.

Much time during the day was devoted to a consideration of routine matters, including amendments to rules and matters connected only with the party's internal organisation. At the conclusion of the conference Mr. Gordon thanked the delegates for their attendance and said it had been a highly successful conference.