SOCIAL OR NATIONAL CREDIT MOVEMENT '

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 4 September 1934, Page 2

SOCIAL OR NATIONAL CREDIT MOVEMENT '

MR ATMORE PRESIDENT OF WELLINGTON DISTRICT COUNCIL ENTERTAINED BY MEMBERS (By Telegraph—Special to "The Mail”) WELLINGTON, This Day. Mr Harry Atmore. M.P., President of the Wellington District Council of the Social or National Credit Movement of New Zealand, was entertained on Saturday evening at a social gathering at the rooms, which were crowded with official representatives of the branches in Wellington city and district. Mr R. G. Graham presided and congratulated the representatives; on securing the services of Mr Atmore as their first president. He had done splendid work for monetary reform and as an experienced Parliamentarian and eloquent speaker, the movement must advance even more rapidly under his guidance in the future. Mr Atmore was most cordially received and spoke for one hour on the economic and political situation. He denounced the Government’s treatment of unemployed relief workers and pensioners as callous, and declared there was no way out of the depression along semi-starvation lines. The beggarly pittance of 10J)d additional to be paid to old-age pensioners weekly from Ist October next was seen in its true light when contrasted with the Minister for Lands’ statement that there would be £1,000,000 surplus at the end of the year. The old-age pensioners’ slight increase was post-dated to October, but Ministerial increases, together with those of members and members of the Public Service were made retrospective to April last. Pensions, wages and salaries must be increased and the fanner and manufacturer guaranteed fair prices, ,and this can readily be done in this country, so wealthy in all true wealth, but Mr Atmore said “Let us help the most helpless first.”

The speaker was warmly applauded during his speech. Mr Phillips Crozier proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Atmore, and in so doing said the speech was an inspiration to all and they were most fortunate in having for their President a man who was eloquent, courageous, capable and high principled and who would do magnificent work for New Zealand in the higher sphere of actiop than occupied by him to-day. Mr Gifford, vice-president, said the speech was undoubtedly an inspiration and he wished that everyone in New Zealand had heard it.