POLITICAL ADDRESS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1927, Page 1

POLITICAL ADDRESS.

AIR HOLLAND.

(Bv Telegraph—Per Press Association.) WESTPORT, June 17. In the course of a pro-sessional address at Seddonvillo last evening Air Holland, Leader of the Opposition, predicted that the forthcoming session would he the most interesting of the present parliament, inasmuch as it would test whether the Government intended to make any serious code a\ - our to honour the promises which ucie lavishly given in the lO'-’o election campaign.

Last session was blank in this respect and personally lie did not expect there would be any great difference this year.

Ho intimated. that the Opposition would challenge the Government’s policy, as reflected in the Prime Minister’s attitude affecting the co-operative marketing of the dominion’s dairy produce, and the problem of -unemployment. An uncompromising opposition would also he offered the Singapore Base contribution.

Air Holland devoted a good deal of time to criticism of the Government for the failure to carry out the necessary public works, and their lethargy in the matter of coal and timber importations. Tie expressed the opinion that because there were sharp divisions in the. ranks of the Reform Part>. the Prime Minister would not find it possible to live up to bis pre-election promises to the liquor trade. Mr Coates’s difficulty was. while he had committed himself in one direction, many members of bis party pledged themselves in tbe opposite way. This was undoubtedly the reason why itie Licensing Rill was jettisoned last scs-

In the event of the bill being reintroduced this year. Mr Holland said, the Opposition would endeavour to secure an amendment, providing for voting in order of preference while there were more than two issues on the ballot paper. This would ensure nn absolute majority in the decision.