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Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1927, Page 2

The Leader of tho Opposition lias the satisfaction at least that his activities an the public platform have drawn two Ministers, both of whom found it necessary to devote some time to a rebuttal of Mr Holland’s statements and allegations. The weakness about the Labor policy is its general attitude towards the Empire and its future, and the trend of its land policy towards ■confiscation of private property. In regard to Empire matters there is a shortened view as to the policy which should lie pursued for the national safety, and a readiness to criticise adversely any action by the British Government bound up with the foreign policy, on which more than anything else, the security of the oversea parts of the Empire is involved. That is a very serious aspect governing the whole welfare of the Empire. As regards the welfare of the Dominion, the revised land policy which Mr Holland is putting forward in place of the “useliold” appears to he but a thin variation of that which was condemned

so roundly at the last poll. The land policy which has been the greatest allround success in this country, is the discarded land policy of the Liberals. Therein not only was land provided for the people, but cheap money also, while the building up of the markets for the surplus produce gave tin? man on the land an assured hope for the future. A\ by was that system departed from, and what is the need now to attempt anything experimental as a substitute? Tt is time for public opinion to assert once again, and seek for a return to a vigorous land policy on safe and sane lines as the host, if not the only means to bring about a speedy recovery of the country’s fortunes. itli the past experience in mind, there is no occasion to-day for any experimental land legislation.