MR ATWIORE’S CAMPAIGN

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8679, 12 March 1914, Page 6

MR ATWIORE’S CAMPAIGN

IN THE SQUATTER STRONGHOLD LIBERAL POLICY PLEASES HASTINGS AUDIENCE. (Soccial to “The Times.”) HASTINGS, March 11. Tho largest political meeting held in Hastings for many years took place in tho Princess Hall to-night, when the house was packed to tho doors toi listen to a most effective and convincing address by Mr H. Atmore, M.P., foi Nelson. The speaker had a splendn. hearing and was closely followed by tne large assemblage. Mr W. BarMayor of Hastings, presided, and tho meeting was in striking contrast to that addressed by the Hon. James Allen a fortnight ago, ana to whose speech Mr Ai-iwre replied. The audience were enthusiastic at every point made. • Mr Atmore prefaced a trenchant criticism of Mr Allen by referring to the fact that when tho Minister spoke hero he made reference to a speech ot Mr G. W. Russell, but, instead of using logical or convincing arguments ho called ■Mr Russell a mcKiiame, s’voking of him r-s ‘‘Ricketty Russell.” “One would think,” declared Mr Atmore, “that a gentleman occupying one of the most important positions in the Dominion, as ono of His Majesty’s representatives, would have met argument by argument; but it is not argument to call people nicknames. I am not here for the purpose of calling people nicknames, but if I say that because Mr Allen was continually giving prognostications of ruin awaiting New Zealand he earned the name of ‘Dismal Jimmy’—(loud laughter and prolonged applause)— this would not be meeting argument by argument.” , „ Mr Atmore dealt at length with Mr Allen’s statements regarding loans and naval policy, and the misrepresentation that was being waned against R'v Joseph Ward. The “Reform” party had carried on a campaign of misrepresentation . •‘GOING OUT.”

It was a Government of monopolies, and if Mr Massey attempted to place the necessary amount on the graduated land tax, the squatter members of the House could and would put him out. A voice: “He’s going out all right.” When Mr Allen was here he referred to the fact that the member for Hawke’s Bay was paying one-third more on his graduated land tax, but if tho member for Hawke’s Bay owned 40,000 acres he would only pay an increase of £l2 4s 9d. . (Applause.) Mr Allen was throwing dust in their eyes -with such a statement, and his Government dared not put on an effective tax, for Messrs Campbell and Hunter, Sir Walter Buchanan, and the Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes could turn round to-morrow and put them out. A writ of eviction would be served on them to-morrow, he declared, amidst wild applause. When Mr Massey was in Auckland he said he would like to see the people settled on the gum lands of the north. Two acres would feed about two rabbits at best, and Mr Massey had said he would like to. see 25,000 people settled there 1 (Laughter.) “Twentyfive thousand people on gum land,” Mr Atmlbre repeated. “Why, two rabbits would starve on two acres.” (Laughter.) And the irresponsible and superficial “Rainbow Minister” —socalled , because ho had more colours in his political coat than had Joseph of Canaan. , (Laughter.) When he was in Westland he had said He would like to see people settled on the swamps of Westland. “Why, the most the Westland swamps would settle,” ho declared, amidst hearty applause, “is swamp hens.” Hawke’s Bay possessed some of the finest'land in the country, but what was it? A huge sheep track. This was where closer settlement was wanted. ' This was where the Government should settle the 25,000 people—(applause)—not on the gum lands of Auckland, nor on the swamp lands of Westland. (Prolonged applause.) “Would you touch the liquor monopoly?” queried a man. Mr Atmore declared he was against all monopolies, and favoured Statecontrol. “JOBBERY” AND INCONSISTENCY,

Mr Atmore dealt with the famous “Hauraki clause” and the action of Mr T. W. Rhodes, M.P. for Thames, returned as a Liberal and now a Massey supporter, in. connection with it. A voice: “Jobbery!” (Applause.) Mr Atmore quoted instances of the inconsistency of the present Government with regard to their utterances when in Opposition and since their gaining office. They had all changed their opinions from the time they changed from the left to right side of the Speaker, and now endorsed everything the Liberals had done. After years of opposition to old age pensions they now supported that ana other Liberal measures. They dare not repeal them. The atidience cried “Shame!” when Mr Atmore read tho famous “James letter” and shouted “No I” when the speaker asked, “Is that fair fighting? Is it British fair play?” Mr Gatenby, president of the Hawke’s Bay Liberal League, moved: —“That a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to M-r Atmore for his able and instructive address, and that in veiw of the Massey Government having repealed the second ballot without providing a substitute it is imperative that there shall be no splitting of votes at the next elec'tion, but that all progressive parties shall combine to oust the Massey Government.”

Tho motion was declared carried unanimously, and the meeting closed with cheers for Sir Joseph Ward.

cation system had also to be improved. Mr Allen would bring down a bill next year that would be a big advance. The question of Parliamentary grants and the control of this expenditure would be tho subject of legislation this session. He had absolute faith in the future of New Zealand, and that future could well be left in the hands of a progressive Government bent on the settlement of the land and the quick marketing of its produce. Mr Herdman, who had had a most favourable hearing, was loudly' applauded at the close of his speech, and received a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. A " social ” following the meeting was also well attended and enthusiastic. TOUR OF THE DISTRICT. GORE, March 11. The Hon. A. L. Herdman arrived at Gore lost night, and motored over the route of the proposed new railway of Hedgehops to Gore at Mokoreta Valley to-day. He will visit the prison reformatory and camp at Invercargill tomorrow, and return north by the after-' noon train.