IN LIGHTER VEIN

Southland Times, Issue 20537, 13 July 1928, Page 8

IN LIGHTER VEIN

EXCHANGES IN HOUSE MR H. ATMORE OFFERS ADVICE THE MID-CANTERBURY SEAT (Special to the Times.) Wellington, July 12. The role of friend and adviser to the Government was embraced by Mr H. Atmore (Nelson) in the House of Representatives to-night. Mr Atmore first offered his views on the new x Mid Canterbury seat prospects, attributing the ciicuiation tor a petition asking the Hon. W. Nosworthy to reconsider his decision not to contest the seat to the fear of the electors that they might have the unique experience of having Mr D. Jones (Ellesmere) as their member. "Mid-Canterbury,” declared Mr Atmore, “is taking no risk. No electorate would have Mr Jones twice.” "What seat is he standing for?” inquired the Postmaster-General (the Hon. W. Nosworthy) when Mr Atmore was referring to Mr W. J. Polson’s criticism of the Government. “I don't know’,” replied Mr Atmore, “but I think it would be a bad thing for any farmer member against whom he stands.” The Postmaster-General: I venture the opinion that he will never see the House. (Laughter). Proceeding. Mr Atmore said there was discontent throughout New Zealand because the vacant Cabinet portfolio had not been filled. It was, of course, an old party trick to have a vacancy and thus keep good throughout the session about half a dozen prospective members. • Like the bunch of carrots,” suggested Mr G. R. Sykes (Masterton). Mr Atmore said that one or two members of the Government had stated that when Mr Jones was returned he would wreck the party. The Postmaster-General: How do you think you would fill the bill? Mr Atmore: I would fill it better than Ashburton’s Bill. (Laughter). Mr Atmore expressed the belief that there was a good deal in current opinion that Mr Hockley would be the new Minister. Mr Adam Hamilton (Wallace) reminded the member for Nelson that he himself had been defeated in 1914 and had been out of the House for five years. Then he had gone out of his old district and had stood for Wellington Central, where he was again defeated. Out of 4,711 votes he only got 185 and he lost his deposit. (Laughter'. Mr Hamilton twitted the member for Nelson with having voted the other evening with the Labour Party against the Government on a no-confidence motion, a thing he had not long ago said he would never do.