LIBERAL CAMPAIGN

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8739, 22 May 1914, Page 5

LIBERAL CAMPAIGN

MR ATMORE IN MATAURA, Special to the “Times.” GORE, May 21. Mr Atmore. M.P. for Nelson, visited Mataura yesterday at the invitation of the Liberal ■ League, and was welcomed on arrival by the Mayor ana quite a crowd of citizens. After visiting the various local industries, ho addressed one of the largest and most enthusiastic political meetings ever held in Mataura. Throughout his whole discourse, which was presided over by Mr Lowdon, the Mayor, he was followed by a continuous round of applause. In fact, in such a supposed hot-bed of Conservatism, it was astonishing how the public were carried away by bis eloquence, large numbers coming from considerable distances notwithstanding the fact that it was a very stormy night. Mr Atmore made a great point or proving all his statements from Mr Massey’s own documents, which greatly delighted his audience. He challenged the Government to debate the points on this or any other platform in New Zealand.

in reply to a question hy a “Reform” farmer as to the acquiring of estates, Mr Atmore asked the questioner, as a practical farmer, if he would take up a section in the local estates recently purchased by tho Government, and ho was immediately answered with an emphatic “No.” At the conclusion of bis address, which lasted two and a half hours, a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Atmore for his able address, and confidence in the Liberal party, under the leadership of Sir Joseph Ward, was carried unanimously, not one dissenting voice being heard.

Cheers for Mr Atmore and Sir, Joseph Ward were' given again and again, and Mr Atmore was immediately after inundated with congratulations. The audience was loath to disperse. After the meeting Mr Atmore was entertained hy his Liberal friends.