OCCASIONAL TOPICS

Hokitika Guardian, 31 October 1933, Page 3

OCCASIONAL TOPICS

, THE DIMINISHED COUNCIL : LABOUR’S RIGHTS ; ■ (Special Correspondent). WELLINGTON, October 27. With the passing of the late Mr H, E. Holland and the late Mr James McCombs, the surviving leaders of the Labour Party in the House of Representatives have lost capable and earnest colleagues who cannot readily be replaced. Mr Holland, with all his trying years and physical disadvantages, was a ceaseless worker and an inspiring leader who never left undone a, task that needed. completion, whether of his ownor of a colleague.. The two men came into the political arena of tins country at practically the same time, Mr Holland as a physical invalid still seeking adventure of h'.'s kind and Mr McCombs as the happy, successor to a. seat in the House of Representatives which he had not expected.to come his way so soon. ■ . The reminiscence has recalled the fact that of the twenth-four successful Labour candidates at the last general election in this Dominion, that of 1931, more than one half of them, had been bom and ..bred outside this country. Mr C. H.vChapman was born in London, Mr D.v-R. Coleman in the same city; Mr E, Eraser in Scotland ■; Air, H. E. Holland in Australia; Mr E. T. Ho'.vr arc! in England; Mr W. J. Jordan in England; Mr .T, McCombs in Ireland; Air R. McKeen in Scotland; Mr Wal'er Nash in England; Mr J. O’Brien in Austral a; Mr W. E. Parry presumably, in England, since he confesses he arrived in New. Zealand about 1906; Mr, A. S. Richards in. Englan d; Mr T. A. Savage in Australia and Air, R. Semple also in Australia. There can be no reasonable objection, of course, to suitable men from the ATotiler country, or from other parts of the British Empire making their way to this blessed spot. Since Airs AlcCombs’ entrance, indeed, the door has been, readily opened, but it is only the Legislative Council that can exercise the harsh privileges that were coinin'.'tted to it eighty odd years ago. The Prime Minister and his colleagues still are ooguitatiiig over the future of this dilapidated body and it may be beard of further when the Christmas holidays are over. It 'is fairly certain, however, that if the Council is properly resuscitated Labour will have a band, in its restoration. It is certain the Government will not reinstate this, branch of the Legislature without giving some I attention to His--Majesty’s Opposition. [