MR ATMORE AT THE THEATRE ROYAL.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12407, 24 November 1908, Page 2

MR ATMORE AT THE THEATRE ROYAL.

The Theatre Royal was comfortably filled last night, when Mr Atmore delivered his final address to the electors. Mr T. Pettit presided. The candidate received an ovation on rising. He said he was still of the opinion ho had often expressed, that it would have been beirter for both ■ the candidates to have met. together on the platform, in order that the people might have an opportunity of judging of their respective fitness for Parliament. . (Applause.) Instead of that a special reporter had been sent ' to his .meeting from the Drill Hall a week before, and he saw he was again there. (Uproar.) Mr Atmore proceeded to condemn the Second Ballot Act as wrong iri "principle. He chal- .-■ lenged the statement that Mr Gra--ham had had a majority of votes in the city last Tuesday. He denied that he "had any majority in the city. Considering that he (the speaker) had the active opposition of one paper, and the passive opposition "of the other, with other -disadvantages, he thought he had : done well. (Applause.) He thought the period between the first and second j>olls in an electorate like- Nelson should be fourteen instead of seven days," and he blamed the last member for not having Nelson inserted in the former schedule; -'He quoted the opinions

of eminent; men of various eountiies to siiow the iucitectiveness oi thu second baiiot wherever it had been tried, iieterriiig xo an advertisement on his opponent's behalf, lie argued that feelings oi' gratitude aud sympathy shouid not be allowed to enter into the contest. He wanted no sympathy or Government assistance. Tlio time "had come when a change could be made with advantage. He contended that every part of the electorate was entitled to a visit from its member once a year, and they should have a member whose bodily vigour and activity fitted him to cope with such a task. Right throughout the Dominion the advice "of Sir Robert Stout to have young men in politics was. being acted upon. He instanced tho return of Mr Fisher in Wellington, and Mr Taylor in Christchurch. He claimed that a large number of supporters of the third candidate- would support him at the second ballot. Mr Aimore spoke for about an hour and a half, the meeting being at times somewhat uproarious. At tho close lie urged L ! everyone to vote, whoever they voted I for/and to use their efforts to make • the poll as large as possible. • I A vote of thanks and confidence i was proposed by Mr Maemalion, and s seconded by a gentleman whose name : did not' transpire. The motion was s supported by Mr C. Campbell, and i on being put to the meeting was car- ; ried unanimously. j . The usual vote of thanks to the 1 Chairman concluded Vhe meeting.