GENERAL ELECTIONI

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 1 December 1922, Page 5

GENERAL ELECTIONI

THE NELSON SEAT

MR 11. ATMORE’S CANDIDATURE Mr Harry Atmore continued his campaign last evening when he addressed twenty-five electors at Spring Grove. Mr Hugh Cully was voted to The chair and referred to Mr At more as an able speaker and one who could enlighten them concerning the economic mil look Mr Atmore during ids address dealt with the question of the tiinrul (raw

party, industrial unrest, public’expenditure ami local grants. He said the cement I rust Inn! imposed ridiculously high prices on the public, witji (he connivance of the Hoard of 1 cade, which was supposed to protect the people from exploitation, hut instead of "doing so had assisted the true Jo exploit them. He said the £ls.Odd pa id by the tr.eJ to Hie I Juidcn Ha;. Company shareholders had been first taken from ihe public by ah.-unllv high prices. The loss to I lie disiru l was shown by the dr missal ot IJO men,' pins the loss to the .Anchor Company itrough no cargoes being available to and from Tarakohe. He wmidcr M what the dim !ms of the Shipping Company thought of this scandalous transaction, ile_ again referred (o the Grime Ministers statement in Nelson that the Government “had to purchase large supplies of cement outside during the last two years as they had imt been able (o get all their reqniremems from local people.’’ Mr Atmore said it made the position mure incomprehensible because if that shortage, of cement existed why did the Government allow the i enr-at trust to raise its prices and then pay ihe Tarakohe Company £15,000 in one year on condition it- closed down its works and didi not produce any cement '! (Applause.) Dealing with taxation Mr Atmore referred to (he heavy imleUedness of Ihe Dominion. He said the national debt was £219,000.000, the debt per head of population man, woman or child-- was about £197 and (he taxation per head last year was £lB/4/-. These were stupendous figures and ’the local body debt, had to be added to the above. Air C. P. Skerrett* the brilliant K.C., was so impressed with 'the deadly weight of nur debt that he had given addresses on 'the subject to audiences of business men at Wellington and Christchurch. Mr Skerrett was not raising party issues a? segue were doing in this district. but he wys rousing the whole nation to a proper appreciation of the position. A national effort was absolutely necessary and yet Ids opponents were raising the party cry. He would not obtrude any personalities or partyism—ihe situation was far too serious for such frivolous nonsense. Had the audience realised that when Mr Massey borrowed £5,000,000 it imposed an interest charge of £SOOO per week on the people of Now Zealand? The figures were startling. Did they know that the annual interest and sinking fund charges were about £10,870,000? Did they know that this amount had to be paid out of their annual production of butter, cheese, meal, wool, flax, etc., and that an increasing proportion of their annua! production had to he set aside for this purpose each year, and if they did not largely increase their production the time would come when the position would he impossible. He held the opinion that this Dominion was very much overtaxed and that the over taxation was strangling industries and producing unemployment. He knew as a student of economics that if the power to tax were pushed too' far It became a power to destroy. The most prolific, cause of unemployment was over taxation. Mr Holland had stated that lie would Make twenty shillings of every £1 after a certain income was reached, hut thgt was the result of superficial knowledge, for if Hie Government took too much out of industry it left insufficient capital in the business and then no extension to provide more employment was possible. Mr Atmore repeated his assertion that heavy taxation was the most prolific cause of unemployment. (Applause.) With such serious problems before the nation what did his audience think of his opponents who were continually urging the claims of party? The work before them was big enough for a concentrated national effort and yet these “little- New Zealanders” were urging the claims of a party. The job was too big for men who saw life, not ns a whole, but only through party spectacles. He believed lie had given them good seiviee during me last three years and he could conscientiously declare that in every division his vote had gone for national interests and not for the bolstering up of the section known as. a party. (Applause.) A vote of thanks and confidence, (imposed by Mr Arnold and seconded by Mr Watson was carried unanimously and a strong committee was then formed to further Mr A tin ore’s candidature. —Communicated. Mr Atmore returned from a four-days’ trip through the Sounds portion of his electorate, and as he had the pleasure of representing the electors there in a former Parliament, he received a warm welcome.

His meeting at tiie French Pass was the first held there this year, and as it is the most populous centre of that district, it was gratifying to receive an unanimous vote of confidence. The mover Mr R. F Turner said'they were very pleased to welcome -Mr Atmore as their future member and to personally thank him for securing the grant of £3BO for the extension of then' wharf, also for his successful efforts in securing delivery of benzine when the regulations prevented unloading at night time, and the .mly steamers passing through were night boats. The position was very acute until Air Atmore with his usual promptitude and success saved the situation. (Applause). Mr Duckworth seconded the proposal find Mr F. Ward occupied the chair. A meeting was held at Tira Ora where Mr It. Black was chairman. The vote of confidence was proposed by Mr Jones, (Hopai) who said it was most refreshing to hear “such an eloquent speech brimful with sound logic and delivered from a national viewpoint and not plastered all over with partyism.” (Applause.) The vote was seconded by Mr Hecquard and carried unanimously. The room was full, as at the French Posh and some of those present had travelled twenty miles in launches, , The' next meeting was at Nydia Bay, ami here the vole of confidence was proposed by Mr Scott, seconded by Mr Turner and carried unanimously. The final meeting was held at the Waitaria Hall when My Henderson was chairman Tim vote of confidence was proposed by Air Menear, who said they had enjoyed an intellectual treat and a fearless representative like Mr Atraorft was needed in the House. (Applause). The vote was carried unanimously. In returning thanks, Mr Atmore said it had been reported in Nelson that his opponent would get a block vote in the Sounds, and lie laid mentioned it at the French Bass, .whore it was greeted with laughter, and lie was informed Hint no other meeting had been held there. He bad so many friends in the Sounds whom he was pleased to see again._ Mr Atmore visited the settlers at Waited, Bulwer, Saratoga, Laverique Bay, Eli Bay, St. Omer, Cloya Bay, in addition to tho places at which'kg spoke, and lie received good receptions in every case.—Communicated. Mr Atmore addresses the electors at

Toi Toi Valley Mission Hall to-night; Redwood’s/ Valley School To-morrow at 7 p.m.; and at Appleby School at 8 o’clock same night; at Nelson Theatre, Wednesday 6bh. mr a. Gilberts” candidature There was a splendid attendance to greet Mr A. Gilbert, the Government candidature, at Hope last evening. Mr Galbraith, who was voted to the chair arid Mr Gilbert hardly needed an. introduction as he was well known to the i esidenU because of bis many activities in the best interests of * the dis-

The candidate, who received an excellent hearing, spoke of the splendid achievements of the present Government during their 10 years of office. It had been a period full of exceptionally so ions and difficult problems and arxiJms, hut the Prim.* Minister and his i clicaum.s had met 1 i- difficulties in a capable and -. ontdenee-in-.‘piring manner, and wilh credit to themselves and to New Zi.-land generally. Git Admin.si ration, continued Mr 'Gkh'.'J. had been in H.e interests cl' all sec l ans of the coMmuaUy, the small fir. nrrs and wage-o i> r.eis; ■eceivmc !•■. ary i easier It ■ ms: ku-a-’.Mri. He deiimc red toe fall, pc l . • nature of , i!io s- mi’-rl ro : t : es tin* were being' talked from the various platforms by the Liberal-Labour candidate and urged the importance ot maintaining oar public life on dignified and bread national, lines. The blaming and levelling of charge. o of corrupt ion against Air Massey and Us fellow ministers served no good purpose- and was an unworthy method of parly electioneering. The candidate Hum dealt with the larger questions of the day and stressed the importance of progressive, safe and sound legislation and the development of cmr primary and secondary industries (o ill! 1 fullest extent. He referred to the serious financial problems and 'the ticuu-ndous load of debt.- and per-, manciil charges under which we are labouring, and said it would require the coneenliM.tcd■ efforts of men of business ability to steer the ship of State through her troubles and restore the Dominion to progressive and .prosperous conditions.

Tlit! chairman said they had been told by the Opposition candidate at Ranznn that the Government candidate .had no knowledge of political economy and referred to the foolish jam tin statement made by Mr Atmore. But, said Mr Galbraith, Mr Gilbert has shown ns in an unmistakable manner that he has a splendid' knowledge of the kind of politics ; we rdftuire 1 and that are helpful and bf a constructive nature., lie felt sure that if elected, and he hoped ho would be, Mr Gilbert would make an able 'and energetic; representative. , , „ < \ ' Mr T. Chisnall.'moved, a vote |of thanks to Air . Gilbert for his able address. This was .seconded by Mr Bateup ,and carried with! enthusiasm. The meeting at Ilanzau was a Continuation of the very unanimous ones held * in the country. Those present elected Air Kerr as chairman, and in a few remarks he welcomed Mb’-Gilbert, ’stating ‘he know they would give him a good hearing.” The candidate y addressed those present for aboufau hour and a half, and was listened to with rapt attention. Not one murmur of dissent, •and at the conclusion not a question asked, evidently proving the private remarks of one gentleman present, who remarked after the meeting, “You have had a good meeting, and I believe everyone present is solid for Gilbert.” Mr W. Eden proposed a hearty vote of thanks, trusting that Mr Gilbert- would iop the poll. This was second Mr Gardiner and carried unanimously by the voices.

The candidate dealt with the policy of the Massey party and some of his most trenchant remarks were as follows. “We are now faced with a General Election and it is for you to decide which party, you are going to support. The need of the day is for a Government that will reflect the prevalent democratic spirit of the nation, free from class ascendancy, and maintaining the principles .of freedom’ and equality. On* the subject of the cut in the Civil Servants bonuses, the speaker explained that if Mr Massey had considered his own interests, he would never have made the cut before an election. ' Examine the work done by the Government since the war, the primary object being to get the country back to a condition of permanent prosperity.! On the subject of State Advances he stated that the Government during the last three years had granted nearly four million pounds to. settlers and workers, for erection of hemes and release of mortgages, and with advances to settlers nearly £8,000,000 had been found. New Zealand. stands to-day better than any other portion of the British Empire, and this is largejy due to a sound Government. The heavy taxation of this country has not been paid bv the small farmer, but by the monied classes. If the Opposition assisted the Government, instead of constantly complaining, it would have assisted the returned soldier. Mr Gilbert, finished by appealing to those present to carefully consider when voting, and if he was returned, it would be his great endeavour to work for the’good of all and to devote his whole time for the furthering of prosperity in ■ the district and the country generally.—-Communicated. Mr A. Gilbert held a meeting at Griffin’s Factory at lunch-time to-day, there being a fair attendance. M.‘r O. Hurley presided. The candidate spoke of the importance of our secondary industries and the fair and considerate treatment the present Government had given all sections of hhp community, particularly the wagerearners and small farmers. A vote of thanks moved by Mr Oiderffhaw and seconded by ATr Blincoe was carried unanimously. Mr Chas. Griffin, at the conclusion of .Mr Gilbert’s meeting, remarked that the ’Government through its favourable tariff revision had greatly assisted the secondary industries in the purchase of machinery. The remission on one item of supplies, effected a saving of £SOO per annum to thenrm, thereby placing them in a position to compete with the imported .goods.—-Communi-cated. ' '

MOTUEKA SEAT ! MR R. P. HUDSON’S CANDIDATURE Mr R. IV Hudson mil address the electors ns follows;—Saturday, 2nd Dec., Bainham 8 pm. ; 'Rockville, 8 p.m.. Monday December 4, Lower Moutere 4 p.m.; Ngatimoti 8 p.m. Tuesday, December 5. Sandy Bay 2 p.m.; Brooklyn, 8 p.m, PREMIER aFcHRISTCHURCH (United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Mr Massey addressed a crowded meeting at ilia Theatre Royal, The audience mis orderly, but interjections were frequent throughout the speech. The Premier stressed need for economy. The cut in Civil Service salaries was the only alternative to retrenchment. Reduced taxation was urgently necessary. With good season and " the better prices for produce now noticeable He believed a nermanent improvement had set-in, but there were many liabilities and difficulties still to bo faced. Soldiers’ pensions had boon paid t 6 the last farthing, and it was possible they might be increased before the end of the year. He, denied that taxation was greater in New Zealand than Australia. The reverse was actually ’the case! A motion of thanks to Mr Massey and confidence in the Government was declared carried by a large majority.