POLITICAL ISSUE

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 116, 20 May 1925, Page 5

POLITICAL ISSUE

CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—The present political situation is responsible for the discovery of some peculiar species of logic. In the last issue of your paper, a correspondent, who ' NVrites 'over ''the nom-de-plume of ."•Thinker," tells us that, whilst, the 'political future is wrapped in a shroud of bewildering uncertainty, arid the "put- ' look' 'is 'dreary," a "definite and clear c,all for unity, has arisen,", and. that Mi. • If." Atmorc, the jnenibei- for Nelson, is ■ the''(tae;and 'only person, who 'could have struck this clarion note. In a manner ■quite dramatic your correspondent goes 'cm to say that Mr. Atmbre and his lead ha-«v?"c6m'e amongst us "with surprising 'suddenness and ■po>Ver i " _ ( that he (Mr. ■ ,4t?n9reJ, is a "Rupert of debate," and.inferentially lie wants us to believe that we have only to let.Mr. Atriiore IoCKe into the ,c.6'untry, and, heigh presto a ..National Party will of,a certainty be an accomplished fact, Svith Mr. Atiriore in 'all probability in possession 'of an arrogated leadership, notwithstanding y;our correspondent's surprising , pronounce" .ment. that ,"Mr. .Atmore has '.hitherto withstood offers of alliance for place and power."

Now, sir.' what are the true 'facts concerning Mr. Atmore's position as a politician[? Your "correspondent informs us that he. is the oaly "really. Independent" in. Parliament. Will .your coriesppnderit inform yoyir readers why it was that Mr. AtnttVe, the "really Independent"-rliem-ber, -accompanied the leaders of the Liberal Party around the country tan one of their recen.t crusades, and'took the platform oh 'their behalf ?. ■ ;•

Has your- correspondent forgotten 'the occasion When Sir J.- G. Ward 1 contested -the i'a-ura'nga seat, 'aiid the .'part plaYed »y,¥r. .Atmore^ If so, is he ■ still, pfepared to prpclaim Mr. Atm.ore's. independence?' It is adniitte'd that he is not vonsistent. in his support 'of the Liberal larty, but, lleyertheless, a goodly porlion of his political life is spent With ■Vr ral,'^ ty> patting fri. the niid(lle bfi-he political qiiagmire. which 'they .Have designated a road. \ rour cbrrespondent "endeavours to ../most .Mr. Atmore;s political'capacity •<jh" •the strength ;bf Ms election maibrity •ihat, m my humble judgment, is peculiar reasoning, because it is ah established fact that some of the weakest politicians we have had foisted upon us have had ..reniarkable majorities. I Live always understood that a politician^ calibre is not to be 'assessed, on the. size oi his majority, but by the value of his work; both inside and outside, of the House.. Sound judgment ih niatVers eco- "? ml*!'.-'i p^s'ghV >P»es'ty., unswerving iayalty to a just cause, constructive "aiij. jty 'in 1./■ connection With the ihakffifir ol r\ s i- M 0 jijSticey-'these are spmo pi.the attributes necessary for the making of a. statesman,- riot a record ma. jol-iti-. '

. If your, correspondent honestly -believes that Mr.' A tniore, With. his clarion call. .is going to -bring about a condition' ot oi-der and serenity diVt 'of the present political itate 'of chaos.Vtii'd despair, I feel sorry for him. There is but one sure and offectivn. cure for the political 'disordet' i hat this; country is afflicted With, ailct that is By niiikii-j prbvisipi'i for each political party; to .be equitably ■ repVe-seilledrin-tlie' House ih propbrtidii" tb the ■sttpport accbi-ded it by the people wko should count, i.e.,.the electors. So long as political. Intrigue is permitted to eiisk ,\iher'eby. election pledges are broken au'd parties kept rfn tfovV-er the expressed opinion, of the majority "of the people, s6 long will we' be in tlite iii.vidious political position' we are unfortunately, iv "to-day. In conclusion, sir, I would like to add -ilnvb if your corre'spoudent. is-sincere" in supporting the advocacy of .'Mr. Atmore .that members; of Parliament should de.hberately. fracture pledge's given to their - constituents, -without inference to thdse .constituents, for UiS pUi'pos-e.'or keeping a jJarty in power they, had ■pledged themselves J;o oppose, and such advocacy is acceptable to the body, politic of, the people, then my conception.' of political morality aiVd iioiVesiy ihtist be decidedly qmxbtic:^-I iihi; etb-i „-.... i -■.;■■• -■..-■ tt. BRowisr.