N.Z. POLITICS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 136, 25 May 1912, Page 5

N.Z. POLITICS.

MASSEY CRITICISES ATMORE.

[BV TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL.]

(Own Correspondent.)

Auckland, May 24.

In reply to a speech delivered at Nelson by Mr. Atmore, M.P., Mr. Massey, the leader of the Opposition. has made the following communication to the press: —“Mr. Atmore has evidently attempted to justify his position, and he evidently finds a difficulty in doing so. He stood as an Independent, but I have no hesitation in saying he made stronger anti-Government speeches than a great many straight-out Oppositionists. At the second ballot he had the Opposition support, and he was elected. He told our organiser that his vote would depend upon the wording of the no-confidence amendment. He came to my room and discussed it. and expressed himself as perfectly satisfied, though he saitl he had reasons for not declaring himself one way or the other. At another interview in the same room he told us of the requirements of Nelson, the difficulties about a recreation ground, railway extension to Murchison, etc., and then wound up by asking me to again nsit Nelson. I had spoken to a huge gathering in Nelson before the election. I accepted the invitation, and again he expressed himself as satisfied with the wording of the amendment, but when, the division bell rang Mr. Atmore voted the other way. The Nelson papers have discussed the suggested reason for his change of front and I leave it at that. I have had pretty long Parliamentary experiences, but no one has treated me or my party so shamefully as the member for Nelson, and now he follows up his previous actions, judging from the Press Association report, by political abuse. I leave the people of Nelson to judge him.'’