The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1928. WHITHER WENDING.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 October 1928, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1928. WHITHER WENDING.

The trend of the Labour Socialist policy should be studied with some concern just now by the general elector, seeing that next month he has to decide whether he will be justified in giving support to the party organisation. It would not do to accept the policy of the Labour Party at its present day face value. The leaders are often glibly talking, yet suppressing what is the real policy, or they may be voicing views which suffice for the time being to catch votes, but the extremists are generally able to drive faster when the going is good, and the fair words and simple promises are forgotten. But often the words are not fair, and being on record they may not,be fogotten. For instance, we publish to-day some words of Mr Holland which have gone on record—and with the issues at stake in this general election they cannot afford to he forgotten. Mr Holland is Leader of the Labour Socialist party, and his socialist tendencies are worth noting. In any case bis record of the past, and the political beliefs on which bis career has been built up, should not be overlooked. The average elector is often of short memory and lie is not disposed to- take his politics too seriously. Mr Holland, however, is a very serious politician, and has graduated in an ultra-socialistic school where he developed very advanced views. These are on record, and have been reproduced in part to-day in another column. No doubt the general reader will make a study of Mr Holland’s confirmed opinions when be was an ‘'lnternational Socialist.” The trend of his remarks and his sentiments so plainly expressed, leave no doubt as to where he stood. Tn his salad days Mr Holland had many things to say which stamp him politically as being most extreme and ready to go to the very lengths of establishing even a Socialistic Republic. Tll the excerpt reproduced to-day, Mr Holland has the usual fling against capital and its overthrow. He would accomplish the overthrow of capital by a great revolutionary organisation brought into being as one big union, created lie was careful to say on the lines of the Industrial Workers of the World, the T.W.W. organisation. Could anything lie more extreme? However much Mr Holland may have toned down since then, it seems safe to infer that the germ of those extreme views are still at the hack of his head. Stored away in the cells of memory he must from time to time have visions of the new world lie was conjuring up for those whom lie addressed and are not those views likely to come to the surface and open expression again, if the people grant him enough support to reach the Treasury Benches?' We can

well understand why Mr Seddon, in his candidature and all through the late term of Parliament, consistently voted against Mr Holland’s amendments in Parliament. Mr Scddon doubtless recognised the risk to the Dominion of giving Mr Ilol.and any advantage or encouragement in his political career to enable him to establish more prestige among the people. The attitude of Mr Red do m might well he communicated to the general voter if lie is desirous of achieving the same result for his country. A vote for Labour is a vote for Mr Holland aspiring to the political leadership of New Zealand. We are mistaken radically if we are expected to believe that New Zealand in general, or Westland in particular, desire the Labour Socialist party under Mr Holland to guide the destinies of tire nation. Those who have a regard for national integrity, and wish to avoid even the suggestion of encouraging Mr Holland with his ideas of a social republic, will not vote Labour, but will cast their votes where they know law and order will he respected and constitutional government will have that respect and loyal adherence it is entitled to. Let Westland and let New Zealand wend a. way towards sane and sound government and avoid the pitfalls. Mr Holland and his party would create.