GENERAL ELECTION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 30 November 1922, Page 5

GENERAL ELECTION

THE NELSON SEAT MR 11. ATMORE'S CANDIDATURE Mr Harry Atmore addressed a most enthusiastic meeting of -electors at Hampden-street School last evening, when the building was crowded and numbers stood round the doorway. Mr Robert Allan was voted to the <Jiair, and in referring io Mr Atmore he said that ho had been informed by a ;.jember of the Legislative Council who had been nominated by Mr Massey, that Mr Atmore was not only the beat speaker in the House, hut his opinion was sought frequently on economic matters. (Applause). They had an able advocate in their member, who represented all the people and refused to be the nominee of any one. section—(loud applause) —and he' predicted that "Atmore" would head the poll next Thursday, notwithstanding the many speakers who had taken the platform against him. Even the Prime Minister could find no fault with their representative, except that he did not join the Reform Party. (Applause). ' Mr Atmore, who received an enthusiastic reception, referred to the Prime Minister's visit to Nelson and emphasised the fact that he did not come as a Prime Minister, but as a party leader. He was on the best of terms personally with Mr Massey, and he was please" that a fine orderly meeting had greeted him, hut he was informed on,all sides that the vote of confidence was not carried, and the Mayor had called for two expressions of the opinion 'of the audience. The Mayor was evidently m 1 considerable doubt. He wished them to cnrefulh read Mr Massey's speech and see if it supplied any reason for the Nelson eWtors changing their representative. Mr Massey did not make one statement against his representaiton of Nelsoninns during the'last three years. (Applause!. He had kindly feelings wards the Prime Minister, but he must «av that the letter's memory rwas not so good in regard to the-grants obtained for Nelson. Mr Massey .said the kttu obtained by their member for the Nelson Harbour Board was promised to a, ( deputation. That was not correct for the Prime Minister promised it to him at 2.30 one morning after ho (Mr Atmore) had made a speech on the economic outlook-a speech,on which the Prime Minister-had congratulated him. The Chairman of the Haibour Board (Mr Duncan) had written him a letter containing personal congratulations to him for obtaining the grant and saving that he was giving credit where credit was due, and that he was very pleased with his (Mr Atmore s) work (Applause). Mr Atmore then referred to the manure loan for orcnardists, and again Mr Massey was wrong in his statement that it had been promised to a deputation. It was refused to a deputation and Mr Atmore read. to tkje meeting a letter of refusal signed by the Hon. Mr Nosworthy.. It was after that that he waited upon\ Mr-Massey and the loan was obtained .tor tne o'rehardists. (Applause). Mr Massey did not explain away the cement scandal nor the pavment of £27097 to Sir Duncan Elliott.' Referring to cement the Prime Minister said that "they had to purchase large supplies of cement during the lasttwo years and they had not been able to get all their requirements from the local people." "They why," asked Mr Atmore, did the Government allow the Golden Bay works to be closed down if there was a shortage of cement. (Loud applause). Mr Massey did not toflch on the fact that £515,000 was paid to the shareholders of the Tarakohe Company by the Trust on condition that no cement was produced for a year; 110 men were put out of employment. (Shame). Mr Atmore said his vote would not be used to put any extreme party in and he wished to act for all the people as h& had done during the last three years. (Applause). Mr Manson proposed and it was seconded in three places that a vote of thanks and confidence be given to Mi' Atmorel This was carried unanimously. .. Mr Atmore said the large, enthusiastic meetings greeting him everywhere were very inspiring, and his appeal was to all the people—not to a section. He believed he could give them even better service in the future. (Applause).—Communicated. Mr Atmore addresses the electors at Spring G/ove to-night; Toi Toi Valley Mission Hall to-morrow (Friday) evening; Redwood's Valley School on Saturday at 7 p.m.,- and at Appleby School at 8 o'clock same night.

ME A. GILBERT'S CANDIDATURE " Mr A. 'Gilbert, the Government candidate, addressed the electors at-- Appleby and also at Redwood's Valley last evening. Both meetings were well attended and were of an enthusiastic nature, if being quite evident that the electors are taking an active and intelligent interest in the political questions of the day. The candidate spoke of the importance of bringing business and organising 'experience and ability to bear upon the all-important business of State and the problems of re-construction. He emphasised the I meed of developing and fostering our primary and secondary industries in every possible, way. Proportional #re- ' presentation, State Banks, charges of corruption, blaming and petty faultfinding, said Mr Gilbert, will not solve ihc serious national problems of the day. The road to progress and prosperity lies in increasing our exports by more production and decreasing our imports by manufacturing more goods within New Zealand and keeping public expenditure within revenue. This would establish a handsome favourable trade balance, bring commercial and industrial enterprise and expansion, find remunerative employment for our people and restore the dominion to. progressive and prosperous conditions.

At Appleby a hearty vote of thanks was jtioved by Mr Neen, seconded by | Mr Harford and carried enthusiastically. At Redwood's Valley Mr Bright, who * presided, spoke of the ''excellent services rendered by Mr Gilbert to the district, particularly emphasising his work in the mlcroF'ts of the fruitgrowing industry which means so much to lhe Nelson district. Mr Mnisey moved ,a vole of I hanks to the candidate for his interesting and instructive address. This was'" seconded by Mr Hai'ley and carried unanimously. Both meotings closed with a vote of thanks to the chair. —Communicated. Mr A. Gilbert will address the electors, at Hope 7.30 and""Eanzau. 8.30 this evening; to-morrow, Wai-iti schoolroom in the afternoon at 3.30; and Spring Grove school at 8 p.m. Mahana, Saturday at 8 p.m. and Waimea West on Monday at 8 p.m.

MOTUEKA SEAT MR R. P. HUDSON'S CANDIDATURE

Mr R. V. Hudson will address the electors as follows: Pakawau. Friday, 3 p.m.; Punnnga, Friday 7.30 p.m. ; Saturday 2nd Dec, Bainham 2 p.m.; Ilockvilic 8 p.m. Monday Dec. A, Lower Moutere 4 p.m. ; Ngatimoti 8 p.m. MR R. PATTERSON'S CANDIDATURE Mr Robt. Patterson, Liberal-Labour candidate for Motueka. will address the

electors at Tapawcra to-morrow (Imday) night (not Thursday as previously advertised.) He speaks at Itovodalo on Saturday at 8 p.m. PREMIER ON THE WEST COAST KOIOTITvA, Tins Day. Mr Massif addressed a crowded meeting here hist evening in support. of Mr Steer's candidature. He had a j/ood hearing, and was ncorded a \ otc uf eonfidenee and left lor LU'cynioiii.li UU'KYMOUTU, This Day. Mr Massey spoke here at ».«()_ hist night after motoring from liokitika. Two thousand people wore, presold■. The Promicr was well received, although there was some heckling. He refuted the criticism of the Bank oi New Zealand, which really carried out the functions of a State bank, and deiended the economy measures, which wore, the only alternative to serious dislocation of business. There would ho no salary cut in January unless the, cost of 'living reduction warranted it A vote of confidence was carried by acclamation.

MR WILFOKD'S TOUR

(By TeluKmph.—-Special to The Mail.)

CHIUSTCIirJKCH, This Day. "My visit to the South Island has boon an eye-opener to me with regard to the wp'vo uf Liberalism which is undoubtedly rising here as in the N< rili Island,"'said ■Mr Wilford, Leader of .tlie Opposition, prior to his departure for Wellington. "1 believed when starting out on my tour sonic weeks ago," he said, "that J should have some success and many obstacles to surmount, and that the old Liberal Party which, had done so much for the Dominion in days gone by would have to he aroused, and that the greatest possible effort woidd bo needed. What have T found? 1 have found in the North Island and the South Island that the people are looking for a change from, government by the Reformers and that they are ready and willing to help to bring about that change. In three of the principal cities—Auckland, Cbristohurch and Dunedin—where I have spoken enthusiastic support has been forthcoming from all quarters. A 7 - eadincs.4 and willingness to work for our side is evidenced on all hands, and if I may mention one striking example of this I would like to point out the ready support ■which is coming in daily from the small farmers of the Dominion. When I started out I was told by many that I might expect support in some city seats, but that the country seats were still for Reform. I belieVe that the results of the poll on December 7th will prove that such is not the case. Tn the farming communities in both Islands the change is here and will be emphatically evidenced next week. From many constituencies I have in the past week received reliable information that the drift from Reform to Liberalism has set in.- Certain newspapers' misrepresentation of our party has been until recently allowed to go uncontradicted. The public platform, which has been taken by Liberal-La-bour candidates in the last icw weeks, has been, we have found, the place where these misrepresentations can be easilv controverted, 1 "