WELLINGTON CENTRAL CONTEST

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 79, 30 September 1918, Page 8

WELLINGTON CENTRAL CONTEST

PROGRESS OF THE CAMPAIGN

ij(ln the-course of his address at s St. JSeter's Schoolroom on Saturday^ evening, Mr. Harry Atmore, the Independent Liberal candidate, nrged that a General Election should take place in the •ordinary way as "the only real safeguard of democracy." The present Government, being-a squatters' Government, was out of touch with the people -as a whole, arid was neglecting many .urgent: reforms! It had practically shelved the cost of living .problem. He strongly criticised the term "industrial rebels"-as applied to, .men who were seeking, reforms. Workers were entitled to-complain when they were, not receiving a- fair deal. The tramwaymen, iijstead ol asking for more wages, were asking that the purchasing power of the sovereign should be restored to what it ■was in 1914. >Mr. Atmore's address was largely on the lines of- that, given when he opened his campaign. He was accorded a vote of thanks.

■ .v*The Sunday night "rally" of the supporters of Mr, P. Fraser was largely atlanded, tho King's Theatre, in which the . meeting was held, being crowded before Che hour announced for the proceedings 0; start. ; Mr. M. J. Reardon, president of the Trades and labour Council, occu-; pied the chair. Addresses were delivered by Messrs. W. T. Young, R. Semple, H. E. Holland, M.P., and the;candidate. The speeches were mainly on the lines, of those delivered by supporters of Mr. Eraser during the past.week, the'chief: .topics -being; tho cost of living, and'the: /local tramway question. In the course <jf his remarks Mr. P. Fraser said the •' Eaboui 1 Party now had both the old parties in the one camp; and intended to 'Seep them there. The .speaker said that the electors' of Wellington were not called on to decide on questions at the other end of the world. /' * A meeting was addressed by Mr. C. W. Tanner in the Arc-street Mission Hall ob Saturday night. The candidate was given an attentive hearing. JHe stated his political views on the lines of previ-' oils speeches, arid criticised as useless tho Royal Commissions set up by the Government., '.' ' . ;'vSpeeches,in support of /Mr. P. Fraser's candidature.,were delivered in the Post Office- Square" to-day- by ■'Messrs. T. Brindle and R. Semple. Alluding to articles criticising "1.W.W.-ism," he S ( rtidtS-"They'(the press)-know_ as" much '"afcoritr T.W.W.'-ism' and Socialism as ftiatt-tramcar does." Mr. Semple attacked. thoJP.P.A., baling his remarks orirsonie pamphlets issued by that or-. ga'nisatJdn. ■•'j The speaker. also dealt with th§ locdi:tran£.,question.;j" ,■;. ::<•' „;.' !(;■;?■■■;. • '■'■ v%Hf-: < Z ');.:7:' Z 'Y. Ovv.'i'. uMri H. Atmore" delivered .aii-ppeh-aii 1; address JK the* PostjOfficeVsquare' during' . the luncheon hour ,io-day. ■ •.. He outlined his■■ platform, .criticised^ the National. Gov ; flpinent^Ma^ad^ciited'progressiyeJegis-' ' Jatjcjn in the intereste of the people. - . M:-'t ■ .*•■"■ '~ '• :— . ■.. :•• '.. ' >■■- '\Xl\ COMING I..MEETINGS. .-~ :Z '* The Labour-Pariy ■will"hold meetings at'ythe Post Office-square at midday tojiidrtow and Wednesday, and an open-air meeting at Ghuznee-street tornight. On Tuesday evening a meeting will be held ■ at-ihe Missioii'Sall, Arc-street, when, the ' Labour candidate arid other"Labour.men' •will*''apeak. Ron Wednesday evening meetings will be held at the Alexandra Hafll, at the St.'Peter's. School, and at ; thij'ijMission Hall, Tory-street. • . .. !J : Mr.: M-J^-Mack will speak-at.the-St.c PeT^rV Schoolroom to-night..": " ''■■';."': •;.' ';'. „"'■':.Mr. Atmore will' apeak in the Post Office square at midday to-morrow.