NELSON'S INDEPENDENT M.P.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15003, 27 May 1912, Page 8

NELSON'S INDEPENDENT M.P.

■' . '■*■' A REPLY TO MR. MASSEY. [BY TEr.FX3R.iPH.—-PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Nelson, Sunday. With reference to Mr. W. F. Massey's statement at Auckland regarding the position of the member for Nelson in the House of Representatives, and the interview between them, Mr. Atmore, M.P., has handed a lengthy reply to a local paper. Mr. Atmore says his position needs no justification. He stood as an Independent, and was not pledged to either Sir Joseph Ward or Mr. Massey. The latter, he says, either deliberately or through loss of memory, has misrepresented what occurred in his room at the Parliamentary Buildings. The Opposition organiser interviewed him at Nelson, and asked how he would vote on th« no-confidence motion. He replied that he would require to be shown reasons why the Government should be deposed. He would vote on the merits of each question, but would support a i freehold motion. After the election he j saw Mr. Massey at the latter's request, and asked him what he would be prepared to do for Nelson's requirements. Mr. Massey expressed himself as favourable to the prosecution of the railway to Muxchison, a grant for tho recreation ground, and other matters. Mr. Massey showed him several drafts of no-confidence motions, including the one subsequently defeated. Mr. Atmore suggested that they should make the division on the freehold question. Mr. Massey replied that he could not do so, as he wished to catch the Labour votes, and their platform was leasehold. In reply to a question, Mr. Massey said that the motion would most decidedly be supported by arguments showing why the Government should be unseated. Mr. Atmore said that if reasons wore not shown ho would vote for the Government on the understanding that the party would bo reformed from within. "When leaving," Mr. Atmore continues," "I said : ' You understand I am not pledging myself, but will vote on the merits of the question." Mr. Massey eaid he fully understood. Mr. Atmore said that so for as abusing Mr. Massoy was concerned he had said he considered him (Mr. Mapsey) privately a strictly honest man, but as a political leader hopelessly incompetent. His whole career would be one of blunder and apologies. Mr. Atmore predicted that in 12 months Mr. Massey would nob bo the leader of the Reform party, which had abler men. Mr. Atmore added that hejvaA prepared to meet Mr. Massoy on the" platform at any time. He addressed an open-air meeting last night in reply, to Mr, Massey, speaking on the above lines.