PROGRESS LEAGUE AND MR ATMORE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 4 May 1931, Page 6

PROGRESS LEAGUE AND MR ATMORE

(To the Editor) Sir.—Nothing was further from my plans than an excursion into these troubled waters, but as “Justice” ins specifically brought my conduct under review and assigned improper motives therefor 1 think it but right that —however unwilling—l, too, should embark. Under the provisions of the Cawthron Trust Board Act Messrs Field, Gibbs and myself retired by effluxion of time, but were eligible for appointment as Government nominees. Mr Gibbs made it known that he would not accept appointment. .Messrs Field, Lock and Milner were appointed. I did not, as your correspondent alleges write “a very indignant letter to the Board,” but—and affecting no cynical indifference —I wrote temperately and without ambiguity, expressing my unqualified regret and disappoint ment at my exclusion. I submitted that I had the necessary knowledge and ex‘perience to appreciate and support the scientific work of the Institute, that in land values I was competent to advise and had advised in the matter of its mortgages, and in fruit culture —Netson’s most important industry—l had export knowledge; but was surprised to find that evidently the possession of certain additional attributes was necessary before I could attain the standard required by those in whose hands the right of appointment is vested. The members of the League _ comprise the mayors of boroughs, chairmen of councils and boards or their appointees and the district they represent extends from Riwaka to Murchison, Whangamoa included. Other members there are representing various associations of a semi-public character. I have been a member for many years and have attended most of the, meetings. and I have never observed any hostility oil the part of the members .to either Mr Black or Mr Atmore, and lm who writes thdt the League has been used to create a feeling hostile to any member of Parliament, writes that which is not true; on the contrary, extreme care was taken not to embarrass the City member, as it was not accounted “good business” to in any way antagonise the Government, and all important resolutions were tuned in accordance, and this attitude was maintained until the stoppage of the works. “The railway” was the “raison d’etre” of the League and everything else was subordinated to it, so it is not surprising that Mr Black should receive hearty thanks for his strenuous efforts in the direction it itself had been working on for so many years, and though four of us have been singled out for special mention as being hostile to your member from political considerations or personal rancour, it should be lemembered that in a roomful representative of all political parties there was no dissentient when the motion was carried.— 1 am ’ CtC ” HORATIO EVERETT. Umukuri, Ist May.