From Mr. Nash.

Mr. Holland was described rightly as one of the great pioneers who blazed the track for a new social order. His staunch comrade and colleague, Walter Nash—now the Dominion's Minister for Finance—wrote of him—

“It is true that greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for his friend. It is equally true to say that no greater life can be lived than one devoted to the cause of humanity.

His life was spent in finding the facts which determined the course of political, industrial and social life. When he found the facts he used them to urge and inspire the people to travel the course which would give greater life to all … Expediency never entered his thoughts. A wrong had to be righted. The way to right it was to give full light to the facts. It was no use saying to him that the public would not understand, and that it was best to say nothing about it. His method was to drive the facts home until the injustice was removed. His work on behalf of the Maoris and Samoans will live long in the records of the Polynesian race. He never took the easy road. He never did the easy jobs first. He gave his life that more life should be available to all … His life will be an inspiration to all who fight to build a better world.”

Mr. Nash, coupling with Harry Holland's name that of James McCombs—both these fellow-workers had died while Mr. Nash was away in Canada—wrote that: “The loss of no two personalities could have made a greater break in the development of our Labour Movement. Two pioneers have passed. On the pioneers!”

And the pioneers won their way two years later.

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There was a prophetic inspiration in many of Holland's speeches and articles. Mr. Nash recalled some lines quoted by his late leader in a Christmas message; they were a fighting cry:

“Changeless the past but the future is ours,
Open for us to endow,
Fruit of our purpose,
Proof of our powers,
Work for it now.
“All we desire is for us to create,
Here in our hands, here:
This is the hour that is never too late,
This is the year.”