MR ATMORE AT PATEA

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8734, 16 May 1914, Page 6

MR ATMORE AT PATEA

TRENCHANT CRITICISM OF “REFORM’S MISDEEDS. Special to the “ Times.” PATEA, May 15. Mr H. Atmore, M.P. for Nelson and a member of the “Flying Squadron,” addressed a largo meeting in. the Town Hall here last night. The ehair was occupied by the Mayor, Mr C. A. Larcombe. From, the start of his address Mr Atmoro severely criticised the many misdeeds of the Massey Government, along the same lines as those followed by his fellow Liberals in different parts of Taranaki. Ho described the present Ministry as a brokenpledge Ministry, and emphatically declared that despite Sir Massey’s pledges, given time and time again at the last polls, he had consistently refused to attempt to redeem one of those pledges. The only promise which he had kept was the repeal of the Second Ballot Act, With regard to this repeal Mr Atmore maintained that Mr Massey had still further failed to carry out his oft-expressed intention of substituting something else in its place.

“THE WORKING MEN’S FRIEND I” - Mr Atmora said Mr Alassey had proto prevent strikes; yet more strikes had occurred during his term of office than during the same term of any previous Alinistry. And this had been interpreted to mean that tho wealthy man would have to pay more in the way of taxes/ while the poor man had matters made lighter for him than previously. But what had happened? Taxation had not been reduced on the working man, hut there had been a decided reduction for the man drawing from £6 up to £l4. He twitted the leader of the Government with claiming to be the working man’s friend, but one who listened to the Rainbow Minister indulging in such piffle as balloting for billets and the abolition of local bodies, while all the time tho voice of social and industrial unrest was being raised, crying for immediate redress all over the country. Air Atmore’s reference to tho feeding of the trout in Lake Tanpo, of which Air Wilford made so much capital, was greeted with roars of laughter. AT AIN QUESTION—LAND SETTLEAIENT. Air Atmore claimed that the question of the closer settlement of the land was tho question that was requiring the urgent attention of all parties. Air Alassey was expressing a desire to see all the gum lands in the north of Auckland settled, while the befogged Alinister. tor Alarine (Air Fisher) was absurdly discussing the settlement of the swamp lands on the West Coast. The present Ministry, Air Atmore -asserted, mad© no mention of cutting up the huge areas of land held by a few people in Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay. Air Atmore said that the purchase of land by a Government was not the best system. A heavy graduated land tax would meet the case. It was senseless of Air Alassey to say that the land, tax had been increased sufficiently to meet all requirements, when tho increase was so slight as to b© a mere bagatelle to the landowner. The speaker was of the opinion that to purchase all tho land necessary to meet the demand in New Zealand to-day would necessitate the expenditure of close* on £20,000,000. LOAN raising:

Alr Atmore criticised the Hon. J. Allen for profiting by the surpluses of tho Liberal Government in order to raise a loan on the London “market. Th© increased rate of interest tho people of the Dominion were called on to pay, and the £40,000 which went into the pockets of the London financial magnates, were sufficiently good inducements to make th© financial magnates sit “up all night waiting for men of Air Allen’s type. ■ (Laughter.) Sir Joseph AVard’s action with regard to the strike in. November last was fully dealt with. The loader of the Opposition was warmly praised by Air Atmore, who described the a-i tacks on Sir Josephe Ward as shameful and as grossly misleading. S.r Joseph Ward was incomparably super - or to any member of the Government partv. The appointment of Air Hiley (General Alanager of Railways) and the creation of the “toy navy” were referred to at some length, and the fact that forty-seven of the shareholders of the' “Dominion” held land

worth millions was brought under review. The question of appropriation of Maori land in a district where the matter was a vital one was also touch-.

ed on, .and the policy of the late Government was upheld. THE “STONEWALL.” Mr Atmore justified the action, of the Opposition in stonewalling, and claimed that the country owed the party a debt of gratitude for their refusal to proceed in the dark. The suggestion that the defence tax should be heaviest on those who had the most land to defend was loudly applauded. At the close of an instructive and telling address the following motion was moved by Mr L. May (a- borough councillor and small farmer)‘-“That this meeting accords a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Atmoro for his able address, and desires to congratulate Sir Joseph Ward on his leadership of the Liberal party, and wishes him every success at the coming election.” This was seconded by Mr .George Williams, and carried with hut two dissentient voices. An enthusiastic meeting them concluded with three hearty 'cheers lor Sir Joseph Ward. Afterwards a Liberal League was formed, about sixty persons enrolling as members.