GENERAL ELECTION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 17 November 1922, Page 5

GENERAL ELECTION

THE NELSON SEAT MR H. ATMORE’S CANDIDATURE Mr 11. Atmore gave au address at the factory of Griffin and Sons, Ltd, during the dinner hour yesterday and received a good reception. Mr Logan occupied the chair. He referred to the amendment to the Workers’ Compensation Act and other matters of interest, including Housing and State Advances Department. He stressed the necesity ,for majority representation in the interests of 'stable government and emphasised the point that all reforms could be obtained by constitutional methods. He mentioned work done hi Parliament affecting the interests of the two largest manufacturing firnls in Nehjon and touched on several matters where he had the pleasure, of helping these industries. (Applause). Mr Edwards moved (and it was seconded in two places] a vote of thanks to Mr Atmorc for his splendid address and one of confidence in him an theft 1 representative for the next three yean*. Tin's was carried unanimously, and in responding, the candidate said he would 'be speaking at other parts of the city before the campaign ended.-—Com-municated. Mr Harry Atmorc addressed an enthusiastic gathering of electors at Ranzau Schoolroom last evening, when 51 were present. Mr F. W. 0. Smith was voted to the chair, and in referring to the candidate, he expressed the opinion that Mr Atmore would be returned, and that he had done most excellent work | for this electorate . He had frequently i sought Mr Atmore’s help and advice in connection with local body matters, and I had always found him very courteous, I prompt, and successful, and he had no--1 ticed when in Wellington that 'Mr At- ! more apparently possessed the confiI dence of the members, and he believed lof the Ministers also, and he predicted Hhat Mr Atmore, with his. gifts .of eloquence, force, and knowledge of econoI mics, would yet occupy a much higher ' position. (Applause), i Mr Atmore, who was warmly received, I spoke for If hours, and showed the folly of extreme partyism. He said we required a national party Concentrating on the nation’s work, and pointed out that the extreme lengths to which the party spirit went, frequently militated against true progress. He had endeavoured to steer clear of any party bias during the period just closing, and he hoped and believed he had been useful to his native district. He stood foursquare for constitutions! 'government', which can always justify itsrif H it, does not subordinate the national interests ,tlb the welfare of party. (Applause). \He said he did not make a practice of answering anonymous letters attacking him in- the newspapers, but he would direct Uieif attention tb the large number of anonymous . attacks appearing—there were three' or four in'that evening’s issue of the Nelson'Mail, and 'he wished to' stress the fact that no anonymous attacks were being made onr Mr Gilbert. He would leave that phase of the question to the electors to judge! His own campaign would be fought on larger issues than petty personalities. The issues before the electors were too grave for him to obscure them with such trifling. Mr Atmore dealt with the main question* before the electors and was frequently applauded. A vote of thanks and confidence was proposed by Mr .Albert Max, who referred to the able address, and also the good work done for the district by Mr Atmore. This was seconded by Mr L. Sigglekow and carried unanimously. A strong committee of twelve was then formed, Mr Max was elected chairman, and Mr , LWis Sigglekow secretary.— Communicated - Mr Atmore will address the 1 electors at Richmond Public , Hall to-night; Clifton Terrace on Monday, 20th.; Wakefield Hall, Tuesday, 21st; Tagman, Wednesday, 22nd. Committee roomsopen every evening, and tomorrow night Mr Atmore will be present.

MR A. GILBERT’S CANDIDATURE Mr A. Gilbert addressed a well-at- . tended meeting at Hillside last evening. Mr F. Whitwell was voted to the chair. In introducing the candidate he said that _ representative institutions were on their trial, and it was questionable whether the Government should, be asked to tackle all the questions that were thrust upon it. He concluded by saying that a Wakapuaka audience never gave any speaker trouble, and he was sure the present one would prove no exception. The candidate, Mr Gilbert, who was well received, spoke of the serious industrial and financial problems of the day and urged the vital importance of having a strong, safe and capable Set of men to control the business_.of the country. The action of the Government in the present shipping trouble had enabled the steamers to continue running between Nelson and Wellington, which had saved our producers from heavy losses. The politics of New Zealand must ho considered on broad national lines, .and in dealing with the charges of alleged maladministration in ■ connection with the cement companies and Sir Duncan Elliott, he said that a thorough and complete examination of the real facts showed that the weight of evidence was against those making the charges. But the spirit in which they accepted the verdict of Mr Justice Sini, a judge of the Supreme Court of Ncw 'Zealand, was neither “cricket” or sportsmanlike. Continuing, .Mr Gilbert, said'that although they were being told in very impressive terms that times were |oo serious for party politics, they, the Oposition, by their statements throughout Nelson and New Zealand were, doing their utmost to destroy the present capable, honesty and consistent administration, j In discussing the necessity of reducing public expenditure and keeping it within revenue, reducing taxation and the cost of living, Mr Gilbert urged that all must enter into the spirit of the call for assisting the State to weather the existing stress and storm. He deprecated political capital, being made out of the Government’s endeavours to effect retrenchment and economies. . In' conclusion, the candidate urged all concerned to increase in every possible way the expansion of both our primary and secondary industries, thereby creatin’g a more favourable trade bal-. ance which would enable us to meet our heavy interest charges and also build up the wealth of our nation and restore us to more progressive conditions. In reply to questions, Mr Gilbert said he was in favour of New Zealand paying her fair quota towards the maintenance of the British Navy; that he did not favour farmers having to pay both land and income tax; that he was in favour of dental trcaotmont in the’ public schools when desired by parents. A vote of (hanks moved by Mr Bunten and seconded by Mr Barnett was carried in an enthusiastic manner. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated a very satisfactory meeting.-^Communicated. Mr Gilbert will address the electors in the Stoke Public Hall this evening ; Mapna Schoolroom, Saturday evening; Briglitwater, Monday; ami Tahnninmi, Tuesday evening.

MOTUEKA SEAT

ME E. P- HUDSON’S CANDIDATURE Mr Hudson will address aft Stanley Brook, Tuesday 21st, 11 a.m.; Tapawera, Tuesday 21st, 2 p.m.; Tadmor, Tuesday 21st, 7.30 p.m.; and on Wednesday 22nd will visit Sherry, Tai, and Kim, (Continued in previous column.)