COMING ELECTION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 9 November 1935, Page 11

COMING ELECTION

CORRESPONDENTS’ VIEWS (To the Editor) Sir, —At Richmond last night Mr Atmore delivered an extremely adroit vote-catching political address. For two hours ample extracts and quotations were given to the effect that currency reform is long overdue. What the Nelson electors wish to know is: Which system of currency reform does Mr Atmore consider the best, and why does lie consider it the best system? For at least two years Air Atmore has been touring New Zealand and advocating revolutionary changes in currency. His copious reports have appeared in the impartial columns of the “Evening Mail’" concerning Air Atmore’s active interest in these .special reforms. After the impression has floated into the average Nelson elector’s mind that Air Atmore has made a study of economics and almost reached international status as an authority on Monetary Reform he comes back with a Niagara of other persons’ opinions but carefully conceals his own, if lie has any, concerning the merits or demerits of these new ideas. Wo want constructive, not destructive opinions to-day, especially from professional politicians. I attended Mr Atmore’s Richmond meeting in order to find out his particular views on the Douglas Credit system. Rightly or wrongly Air Atmore is now recognised as an authority on Douglas Credit. The only good tiling in the world to-day according to Air Atmore last night, is the near introduction of the Douglas Credit System in Alberta. As is seems -to me, this is a super-revolutionary system to graft on to the present system. And so to make quite sure what arc Air Atmorc’s real opinions, if ho has any, concerning Douglas Credit, I asked at the close of his speech the following question: “If given the necessary legislative power, would Air Atmore take full responsibility for the introduction and operation in New Zealand of the Douglas Credit System of Currency Reform ?” In bis reply Mr Atmore hardly mentioned Douglas Credit hut said he favoured “equation” whatever that may mean. The plain truth seems to he that Mr Atmore who has politically wet-nursed Douglas Credit for a considerable time past now ardently wishes this particular system were well and truly dead and buried in the fools’ paradise Major Douglas and Premier Aberhart arc now attempting to hatch out in Alberta, Canada. Personally I did not expect Mr Atmore to give a plain “Yes” or “No” to the above question. In my opinion he can neither hold fast or let go Douglas Credit. I again requested Air Atmore to give “Yes” or “No” to my question. The essence of Mr Atmore’s second attempt at reply was: “I will allow nobody to dictate'to me what my replies to questions should be:” Thereik we get a glimpse—hut only a glimpse —of the real Air Atmore. Instantly my mind flashed back to digging in with bare finger only in ■v" hlood-soalced sludge of Passchendacle and while doing so fervently vowing that as far as I was concerned no Gorgon-headed War Lord, no l upstart Dictator, should ever control God’s Own Country. It burns into my mind now. The scene changes; Mr Atmore as nn “Independent” holds the balance ofi power perhaps, in the new Parliament. Tie (perhaps) bargains away his political No Man’s Land of “Independence” and becomes a virtual dictator as minister in charge of Douglas currency reform. The people murmur. They ask for bread but receive instead paper currency printing machines. The dictator declares: “I will allow nobody to dictate to me.” Atmore, Savage, Major Douglas what a heavenly prospect for God’s Own Country!—l am etc. ARTHUR HUNTER. Richmond, 7th November. (To the Editor) Sir—At such a time as this when New Zealand is requiring of its people to use to the best purpose in the in- 1 terests of the nation whatever intelligence they are blessed with, it seems deplorable that some, of your, correspondents who undoubtedly have the best education possible and marked ability should use those attainments for no other purpose than what one might call mud slinging. I am, not in the Nelson electorate but nevertheless claim as a constant reader the right to protest on the grounds that it is such people as “Gamma” and Ins staff that makes it very difficult for honest people to offer their services in tiie public interests. It is sucli action as theirs that will have tlie effect of tightening up the freedom of the pi ess. That the people are asked to reject a man of Mr Atmore’s unquestioned ability because of something that happened eight years ago and on which tlie electors gave their verdict at that time is to speak mildly unclean and unworthy of even the most ignorant. It looks like our legal friends would say: Where there is no case abuse the other side. Perhaps tlie Government has too much to answer for and its followers find the difficulties too great.—l am etc. , ° D. BLANCHE. Alapua, 7th November. (To tlie Editor) Sir, —The housing problem is one which might be brought before Parliamentary candidates by the women of New Zealand. There is a great lack of houses at rents that can be afforded by many. That it can be made a Government matter is evidenced by the fact that tlie Government long ago provided in the larger towns workers’ homes at very moderate rents. I had one once—first class little house with all conveniences, and only 11s 6d rent to pay. What is urgently wanted in our land is for the Government to take up the question of the housing in their old age of those who are no longer ‘‘workers,” and cannot afford the present-day £1 or 30s rent, and who would he thankful to get a small home for Us 6d ! In 1912, by paying £5 down, you could arrange to buy your “workers’ home” by your future “rent-payments.” We either want this housing problem solved by Government or by private enterprise. And if it is ever solved I do hope the vyater-tap will be put where it ought to bo- —beside the kitchen range, instead of in the scullery, and a water-tap put upstairs also if the bouse is two-storied. Time wc women aired tlie, ideas which would save fatigue ill homes ! Time we women prepared for election candidates a list of the things we want! —I am, etc., GRACE FOX. Nelson, Bth Nov.