WANTED: SPOKESMEN FOR NELSON

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 15 August 1944, Page 2

WANTED: SPOKESMEN FOR NELSON

I To the Editor ! Sir.—Under the heading, “Wanted : Spokesmen for Nelson..’’ you make a mild complaint that “whilst Mr Atmore has always been noted for his assiduity in looking after the interests of individual electors when they have made reasonable requests to him he seems to have forgotten that he is the chief spokesman for us in the Dominion’s Parliament,” and “he should not forget that politics begins at home.” ( I thank you for the tribute contain* ed in the first portion of your statement. but I emphatically deny that you have any grounds whatever on which to base the charge embodied in the latter portion, and may I not add that your tribute refutes your charge in that you assert that 1 am “assiduous in looking after the interests of individual electors” and so I have evidently not forgotten “that politics begins at home.” Education is admittedly the most important activity of State and if it is of the combined nature of spiritual, intellectual, and physical would go far to solve the problems of this war-weary world with its recurring fratricidal waves of co-operative suicide. ' May I not point to the Nelson schools, easily the best in the Dominion, the acquisition of the Ren wick grounds, and other sites, as further evidence that I have not neglected what you are pleased' to term “home politics.” But. Mr Editor, # whilst recognising the duties of a member in the home sphere of politics, one cannot neglect the broader aspects of modern life with its pressing international obligations and problems—problems which, like the riddlp of the Sphinx must be solved, or we perish! So, Sir, I have endeavoured and shall continue to work for a complete understanding with our great ally. Russia, the coming power of th* Pacific, of whom we must learn to think as a Pacific Power, and not allow oui minds to make the usual circuitous approach by way of Europe as we have hitherto done. Britain saved the situation in the early days of the war. and Russia has given similar service in the latter stage and complete mutual trust, based on perfect understanding is necessary if the peace of the world is to be assured I think of the 300.000 scholars in our schools and if one man's work can do aught to prevent their sacrifice, in. 20 years’ time, to the heathen god of war that work will be done—l am honoured in being Dominion President of the Society for Closer Relations with Russia since its inception. You also made a rather slighting reference to Monetary Reform. Well. Mr Editor. I make no apology for devoting some of my time in attempting to bring about a saner system than ours which was conceived in an age of scarcity and cannot function in an age of abundance. Some of the world’s greatest authorities could be quoted in support of mj' attitude, but most of my constituents are cogrysant of them. I welcome the Hon. Elliott Davis’s tribute to the possibilities of our district and of his, for I recall the days wffien he and Ernest, his brother, and I were boys together and in the last month we had opportunities of discussing the former times when “all the world was wide.” He quoted the possibilities of Nelson. and may I not as chairman of the Cawthron Trust claim on behalf of Sir Theodore Rigg and other talented member? of the staff some .share of the credit for the possibilities referred to by our visitor to his home town Regarding the Budget Debate. MiEditor. you may rest assured that Nelson will not be forgotten when I speak any more than it has in the past, and, perhaps in conclusion. I may refer you to the credentials given me in the confidence of Nelsonians during 28 years of Parliamentary life—a longer term than that given to any other member of the present Parliament—a fact of which I am perhaps pardon- ; ‘'y P r oud.—which may supply an answer, in addition to your own refutation, to the charge of neglecting “home politics.” The inventor has abolished time and space—we must think in global terms or perish, this without neglecting home obligations. Tnat has been my aim. Mr Editor.— I am. etc.. .. , HARRY ATMORE. Nelson, 15th Aug.