MR ATMORE'S AMENDMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 20 July 1925, Page 6

MR ATMORE'S AMENDMENT

(To Uie Editor.)

Sir, —My attention has been directed io your loading article of Tuesday la,at. aiidsir hoadinig* aj»d wiUi yom perniiasioH I propose l 6 make a few com meats thereon. Let me firs'.- erproas my

appreciation of your genera, recognition of my action in connection with mo amendment moved by me on b ri l l a\ week in the House ol Representatives.

There are one or two statements, however, to which i may reasonably take exception. You state: "Ihe Socialists came in for a severe gruelling from -Mr Atmore, and as was to be expected tlieir replies were hardly complimentary. In a way Ire has only been getting some of his own back and a good deal more and we trust it will do him good. My comment is that no arguments were used by the Socialists in vcply. but political Billingsgate, only, and the Speaker made them withdraw several epithets. Their offensive phrases showed the measure of their discomfiture, not of mine. Here are a tew extracts bom leading newspapers. The Evening Post of Saturday last-says: —-“'lhe case tor fusion was strongly stated by Mr -AG mcre. To his arguments no reply was made or even attempted ; and the effectiveness of his attack upon the Socialist Labour Party was fully attested bv the bitterness and personalities which that party showered upon him in reply.” The complete, failure of the Socialists to defend their statements is very satisfactory to me, and 1 repeat that their “Billingsgate” is the measure of their own discomfiture, not of mine. Ihe virulence and vituperation of Messrs Holland.and Fraser was amusing. I had ierral appreciatively to Mussolini s action in driving the Bolsheviks out. ol Italy, and thereat one of the members named said I “favoured murder!” Air Fraser was imprisoned for a period din - ing the war for seditions utterance and Mr Holland was sentenced to some months’ imprisonment for seditious language in April, 1914, Let me again quote. Here is an extract from tlie Otago Daily limes, pro-

bably the most- influential journal in the South Island, and with a tremendous circulation: “Air Holland may he

credited with perfect sincerity when he said in the Ilutise of Representatives on Friday night, in explanation of the votes," which his supporters were about to give, that there was no member with whom they would less prefer to vote than with Air Atmore. I here is no

member in the House who is more com

petent Hum Mr Atmore is to lay bare the fallacies of the Socialist party’s pro-

gramme and to expose to public view the political tergiversations of the leaders of the party. There is not a more incisive speaker in the House, and his studv both of the history of the Socialistic movement anj of economic questions make him a ci'itic before whom Air Holland and his colleagues stand in some degree of awe. It will probably have been observed that the Socialists made no attempt on Friday night to reply to the indictment which Mr Atmore hurled

against them. Instead, they feebly sought to draw red herrings across the track. They dug up utterances by Mr Atmore when his investigations of social

and economic problems seems to have been less complete than they now are. and they made insinuations of lack of patriotism on his part. The suggestion that Ali' Atmore had, like some men prominent in the Labour-Socialist circles,

who were of military age at the time of the war, shirked his obligation, fell heavily to the ground.” .Another Southern journal with a large circulation The Southland News, lias the following: "Air Atmore is an Independent, but the differences between lpmself and the Liberals is that lie does nob attend their caucuses, and is more consistently Liberal and pro-

gressive. There is naturally some curiosity as to the shape his resolution will take, because it is realised that no ordinary declaration of no-confidence could do more than reduce the strengtn of the Liberals. The member for Nelson is ingenious and he may counter-mine the Reform position. To defeat the Government with the aid of the Hollandite vote would not satisfy him, and we can only suppose that his purpose is to affirm a certain policy and to test the feeling of the House in regard to it. The policy would appeal strongly to all Liberals', and form the rallymg-point for a party that could establish stability and render permanently innocuous all extremists. If Mr Atmore could effect some such coup he would add to his reputation as the foremost debater :i reputation for tactical ability. Never were conditions more disturbed, yet never was affection for party ties more evident, than at this time when the demand for an alliance is insistent.

The trouble is that neither party is willing to take the initiative in scrapping its interests and traditions, and until a lead is given, no concessions will he made. It is not a, unique position by any means, affording comparison with similar developments in frequent succession throughout history. It is pro bable, we think, that there will be nr understanding during the session, but Mr Atmore may prepare the way foi co-operation during / ite election cam paigri, which would undoubtedly hi more effective and enduring.” The Free Lance reporter writes a; under:—

“A No-Confidence M(ftion.—The Prime j Minister’s statement that it would he i treated as a- No-Confidence motion, and j the advancing of the discussion from the j evening to the afternoon session, caught- j Mr Atmore unprepared. But he leapt I into it, and was soon at white heat. "A Fiery Speech. —It was a lashing, slashing, cutting speech. There wore no dull readings from dry records. It was a veritable torrent of words, but move than words. It was a fierce indictment of the party system, and a challenge to the members to put- public interest before personal considerations or party allegiance. He made small reference to notes, and seemed to have his facts and figures, like a trained army, ever at his command. ! “No mercy for “Reds.” He attacked ; Revolutionary Socialism without mercy. I He painted big picture in broad sweep- j ing strokes and firm lines. It was no mezzotint. . . Whatever Mr Atmore s , defects, lack of enthusiasm, lack of j sincerity, are not among them. “A Briand Gesture.—At the end of an hour, he concluded in an impasioned phrase, with two quivering hands up raised —the gesture of M. Briand, when he denounced Germany and refused to ■ agree to limit the building of subma- • vines. "The Compliment of Attention. —Loo!?- i ing white and a little weary. Mr Afmore sat down after his exhausting address. During it there had been a singular silence. Even from Labour there was no interjecting. At- the beginning, one member was working out a. new and absolutely reliable system for backing horses. Two others were turning the .wages of the Sketch, or was it Eve? hut pretty ladies smiled back from between its covers. Another was sadly counting a. bunch of totalisator tickets—duds. It was not long before books were put away, and betting systems discarded. The House at least paid Mr Atmore the compliment- of listening to him.” I have received between 40 and 50 letters and telegrams of congratulations on my speech and amendment, and the lines from your criticism have rathei

puzzled me. Here cue. Rem a- wellkin wn la vvv i r : I ••(.’i.ngratillations i>n your amendment. ; filed veil sleek le. your guns and saw it ■ t hre-ugli. Ili‘ motion will relleei to your | i ret lit and enhance your re-put a I ion I ili'-o'uehinit t he Dominion, j An Anglican clergy:.::.: w:J.-s : Y,n . will bo rv.'d to iveivo to: . n:>l o from me, who m I'o-nnn: d i.yu showed opposition to you and your policy. although i: -■ . -.*. le :f::’g you prevail illy. 1 am v. ;!:ng to say how heartily I and manv others in litis district up ; prove of vuur patriotic and timely 1 a mend mi'll l. I lie whole eon n try is J eagerly watching and wailing developi incuts. Yours is a statesmanlike action. ! deserving- of I Ik- thanks of all right - thinking people. Do not he a tea id of the extremists and tlieir abuse - you have iln* arguments, they have the noise ! An i,nicer who served through the Gallipoli campaign writes: " I lean! your at- • tack last- evening on the Socialist party land also your exposure of the Mae,Gland Worker. As one of those who served on ■Gallipoli. 1 think you are entitled to 1 the thanks of ail and also ni ■ the general level public for showing up 1 (he Socialists in tlieir true colours. I A characteristic telegram Irom a wellknown New Zealander runs: Heartily congratulate you on y-.i.r clean light atramsl the Dirty Bid t'iult. 1 nave quoted the tovcgonig to show tin- verv gt nerni unanimity of endorse- , melds of my actions and altitude. I wish to refer to cue oilier point. You state: "We find that- Air Atniore’s ’aloofness lYom the political parties is not his strength but his weakness. Idle fusion negotiations are between toe two parties. Mr Ainu.re is an outsider. Here is the reply from liio Southland Daily News (Saturday. July 11th), headed : '"The Bight Alan": "it is pniSioiiLilly tippropriati: Hied Air Atmore should he )irominent in toe movement to elleet an alliance of Ihe pari it s. I le- has been an Imh pendent iihtiilm' since In* entered I’a rlia tin nl. Ho lias zealously lotight the (.'omtiiuiiist. I hough himseli more 1 lemoeratie I ban no.s( i f the Lila rals ill (he House. I lie member lor Nelson has iired his first shot. bin In- has man;, more shots in his locker. His attitude is without compromise where ilollamlite Socialism is ennceincd and lie will not 1 •(- satisfied until the menace that section elTcrs the countlV is reinoved by a political alliance between the tnoder ates. Ho is not so headstrong as to accept this settlement on any terms, because lie is a distinct progressionist, but he reads clearly the signs ol the limes and interprets in them an encouraging

message that Liberalism nl. any rale in ni/ danger ol rxl no I ion. whaievei may happen to the parly ihnl now n presents that admirable political noth iit .Parliament.

d'lic lion. Downie Stewart slated before last election that he was going into the House as an Independent lieeansi lie. would tbus have more inlltiencc in bringing all moderate men together in the best- interests of Now Zealand and to hold hack revolutionary forces.’ I feel sure. Air Editor, that we can work together for the best interests of this Dominion, but as your readers are mv constituents I thought it nary to place, the other side oi the qiu-s (ion before them. 1 am greatly in earnest in doing what- one member can to stabilise polities in tin’s country. Representative (loveriinients the world over are threatened with breakdown owing to multiplication of parties, preventing anyone. party securing a majority. J his constitutes a real danger and when one remembers that the Beformers in caucus and the Liberals also passed an unanimous vote in favour of fusion in the interests of the people, yet party interests keep them apart- it is rVyly time for a member who is free, to denounce the follv which,•’•revented consummation of the "laudable" object. Revolutionary Socialism and Communism are "whileanting” Britain and by reducing trade output threatens the Old Land s and Inc Empire's 'existence and being, like- you. a keen .Imperialist. I shall enntmue to denounce and expose all those disii:tegratmg forces winch work against- the existence and prosperity of that which 1 believe to lie the very bulwark of civilisation.

l am satisfied with the Socialist abuse —llit; papers bear witness that my arguments still stand —the vote. o 3 to 34. is the best division of the session, and the future is full of hope, because tin* people will jusit on having a national parly. I am. etc.. HARRY ATMORE.

NELSON RUGBY REPS

(To the Editor.) £ir, —With vour permissoin I would like to endorse the remarks of your correspondent. “Grandstand., appearing in your issue of the 17th inst., and to make a few remarks oil football generally. On analysing the team one finds no less than seven selected players and two emergencies from the Nelson Club. On the results of this season's play, T can only conic; to the conclusion tbatmany mistakes have been made. Taking the season's play the Waitnea and Rival forwards have both outshone the Nelson forwards, an,| yel both these teams can only boast of one forward player getting a. place, whilst

an inf: net' pack of torwardu must cm ) lire;'. Now, Sir both Snow and A oung | have played very few games this sea j sou. and are certainly not sinewing icp. | form. What about players like ( ross. I Baldwin, ami Toon ! As a former bc- | !■ -■,-,.)■ in ,i sole -elector, I am now con • i|. 1,, -1,:;’,-,- a farce i.i N»'l sou,. at, any rale. Jn ll)o. B»ugbv Union ivjwrt. on' notices that Hi,. .St*.|-:lor. Shield -r.s’ Committee is again active, and no doubt, in due course, wiil be asking I'a* fighting iitnds. Bill if club Teeiing is lint passed by and a truly Nelson repi""Seiitai ivo team I picked, tile t aim 111 it tec S efforts wiH 1 iialurally meet with little -support. I nili :• the present Bugbv lAn ion manage ment the public of Ncison can hope for little impiT'V einelll for the good ol Bug by. Thanking you. Sir. for your vain able space. 1 am. etc., F AIRPLAY. i COUNTY AND BOAD BOARDS c'i’o the Editor ' Sir.— I notice in to-night s .Mail a report ol a meeting held ill Riwaka lor the piupa-e oi considering the advisability of the B.iwaka Bead Board being absorbed bv the Muiniea County Conneii. I uiulcr.-'tai'd that the County has apoi, ached all the road hoards, with the .-ante suggestion. A similar move was made b\ the Wit tinea County seme tour '.eats, ago when a meeting id all the hoard*! and t epi esvinat iv.es ol the Council was held m the Upper Aloiiterc. Ihe matter was tlmroiighlv discussed and it w;. . utia ainioiisiy decided that it was m the In s’t interests of I lie 'ratepayers that tho boards ,ho old remain, lias anything happened in the meantime to cause the ratepayers in alter their attitude? I would urge all concerned. (and it io ihe concern el all ratepayers) to give this matter very urgent consideration lie-lore doing anything definite. It is l a very easy matter to abolish (lie hoards, but once giitie they are gone lorrver. Air Wilkinson at the Biwaka meeting slated l hat Lie iiv mails in the distriels with out road hoards compared fa \ ultra lily with tliovr if the hoard districts. If it were so no one. would complain. Imt it i.- because the toads in the ‘outlving’ district,-. are so notoriously neglected that we view witii apprehension the possibility of the hoards being wiped out. Let Mi Wilkinson, Mr Brewster nr any other fair minded man travel the byroads -in and around Hope, then cross the Bright water bridge and try the roads' in the ‘out lying' district before they so positively make these statements. I.e| any man gel in a Ford ear and drive from Appleby bridge to Bartlett.s ii i Ter a! the rale ol 2. r i miles an hour and 11: (• 11 lliev will gel some idea ol Ihe efficiency of the Comity. Before coming io flic boards villi : itch a proposal Hie County should show that they are in a position to ailminis'ter at- least- as well as the hoards whom they wish to- supersede. I’h i« they most cert a inly have not done. As a matter of fact the County’s I 'system' of road malting (if indeed they have stub) is open to criticism and I trust that the boards will do nothing in the matter without consulting the ratepayers. and that the ratepayers will traverse at least some of the respective hoiiies roads before committing themselves one wav or the other. The assertion that efficient men would be leplaeing amateurs is all .moonshine. Ihe County ha.- given us not one instance of outstanding efficiency. ll' rumour is correct, and judging by the evidence of sight it well may he. the County Council's work in connection with the bitumen road at Stoke is not exactly the movement of effieienev Hull it might, and was expected to have been. Another disquieting factor is that just, recently we had the spectacle of a district which has been administered by the County for almost countless years clamouring for severance mi the grounds of maladministration. Still more disquieting was the fact- that ibis movement was led by (lie most IVar-le-s and .‘duesl thinking member of the 'Yaimea County Council. Surely this 1 speaks for itself.--I am etc.. | WILLI A Al. 11. SAIITII. I Neudori’.