CORRESPONDENCE THE ECONOMICS BLUER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 2 December 1922, Page 11

CORRESPONDENCE

THE ECONOMICS BLUER

(To the Editor; Sir, —1 have exposed Mr Atiiidle’s hlull of what he obtained tor Nelson for public works in it is term ot olliee. 'The Minister of Public Works told him in 'Parliament in 1920 that by bis oh o neglect he had “missed the ’bus” for public, works in bis district. Mr Atmore and his superiors are as silent in reply as Mr At,more was in ( Parliament when he got “tile terrific ( dtessing down” which I quoted. Now wo have Clio “economics” btufl. This is most amusing. The somersaults of a, political acrobat like Air Atmore in “ec<*nomies”, I apologise to the word, are worthy of a. Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera. Take “production,” for it.stance. Mr Atmore told ns long ago that increased production would reduce tlie cost of living. Then he turned an economic somersault, and in the Town Hal, 'Wellington, in 1D 1(5, he said. “Increased production would only allow the exploiters 'to come in and make more profits.” Then another political somersault. In 1920 in Hansard he said, “If one talks of the necessity of production he is told he is of the capitalistic order.” In February, 1912, Mr Atmore said, “The second ballot Act must he swept into the limbo of things that do not count.” In November, J 912, he turned another somersault and voted against the repeal of the Second Ballot Act.” In 1911 he told the electors he believed in an Elective Upper House. Then he turned another economic somersault and voted against the Bill to provide for this. In February, 1912, he told us, “There is nothing you want just now more than the removal of Ministerial patronage.” Then anotho'- political somersault. He voted in September, 1912, against the Public Service Pelf iin Bill abolishing political patronage. Then what is Mr Atmore’s ren edy for our financial slump. You will find it in Hansard. It is a levy on capital. Ye Gods and little fishes! In November, 1920, when the slump was plainly on us, and the people gleaning under heavy taxation, Mr Atmore said in Parliament, “If we have a capital levy and if the Government had a larger share in the Bank or New Zealand and went on the lines of flic Commonwealth Bank, J think the position would bo quite satisfactory. 1 think we would then be the most .•>{»! vent nation on rhe l aeo of the earth.” Oh! But his supporters say he is changed now—lie is a changed man. ‘‘They .say to-day he’s changed a lot, But that is just a knack he’s got.’ But this is all ancient history his supporters may say. Well, let Us have some modern history. Air Atmore has bitterly attacked Mr Holland, his party 7 and his economics during the last few years. He has tongue-lashed them in season and out of season. Then he lias spoken of Mr Massey in Hansard as one of the great statesmen of New Zealand and classed him with Sir George Grey, Mr Ballance and Mr Seddon. But when it came to voting he voted for Mr Holland’s no-confidence amendment. The Liberal Party abstained from voting. One member, Mr Statham, explaining his own abstention from voting said. While be was opposed to Ihe Reform Government he said, “I have not transferred my confidence to the official Labour Party.” Did Mr Atmore’! 1 If tin's vote had been carried Air Holland would have been Prime Minister. Yon will find bis vote recorded in Hansard on October 6tli, 1921. But. it is only history repeating itself. What did lie do in 1914?—I am, etc., ANTI-BLUFF.