MR H. E. HOLLAND

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 211, 6 August 1937, Page 2

MR H. E. HOLLAND

HIS LIFE AND WORK. ADDRESS TO LUNCH CLUB. An interesting . address traversing the life and career of the late Mr H. E Holland, M.P., Leader of the Parliamentary Labour Party until Ins death, was delivered to menibeis ot the Palmerston North Citizens Lunch Club, to-day, by Mr J. Hudgens M.l . Speaking as a personal inend and deep admirer oi Air Holland, Mi Hodgens stressed the late leadei s love of humanity and championing ot the rights of tiie poor. . - . Declaring that he did not wish it to be inferred that lie spoke with any political motive, Mr Hodge commenced his address by brielly traversing the life story of Mr Holland, about whose eany lile, in Australia, however, he said lie could not speak with any degree of certainty. Mr Hodand was born in a small town near Canberra on June 10, 1868, and as a youth was associated with journalism. He early displayed a radical philosophy. The art of public speaking lie garnered at the Australian Socialist League, an art in which ho had fe\ peers. Early he had studied social conditions, and in 1901 he led a strike of 2000 tailoresses and seamstresses, winning public opinion in theii far our by his writings. ' It was exactly 25 years ago since Mr Holland arrived in New Zealand, being brought to the Dominion by the Waihi Miners’ Union to assist them in obtaining improved working conditions, continued the speaker. Wherever the light was hottest or the cause of the poor weakest, there be was to be found as a champion, l'or several years lie was the editor of the Maoriland Worker and during the War period used his pen against conscription. In 1914 he first stood as a candidate for Parliament, but was defeated; lie suffered defeat again in 1918, but in October of the same year won the Grey sesft. From 1919 be led the Parliamentary Labour Party, until his death. Ever an example to the rank and file members of the party, he observed long hours despite physical infirmity from his maimed leg; so severe was the pam that at times he bad to be carried to and from the House; throughout the night he worked on his speeches and pamphlets when sleep was denied bint. Displaying ail indomitable spirit, he proved a splendid example. In his first speech in the House, in 1918, and in his last speech, in 1933 (from which Mr Hodgens quoted), he sounded a note of challenge, deprecating violence but advocating a sufficiency of necessaries for all. . One of Mr Holland’s traits was his persistent championing of the rights of minorities, including the conscientious objector, the miners, indentured Chinese and Indian labour, and the Samoans, the speaker added. In all he produced about thirty pamphlets dealing with all manner of subjects, to which he had given mature and grave consideration. Mr Hodgens admitted frankly that he was a hero-worslnpper of Mr Holland, although he waA a grown man when he first made contact with him. On his death the Press of New Zealand proclaimed the party’s leader a man of the people who had made a sacrifice that only worthwhile men could make. Mr Hodgens touched on Mr Holland’s versification, quoting from Ins works as the conclusion >to an-inti-mate sketch. " '*"• . The speaker was accorded a voteor thanks on the motion of Mr D. W. The chair was occupied by Mr E, V. Spear, who introduced Mr Hodgens and extended a welcome to Mr G. Bull, a visitor.