SOCIAL GATHERING.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13316, 17 January 1912, Page 1 (Supplement)

SOCIAL GATHERING.

MR ATMORE, M.P., ENTERTAINED. -..From "The Colonist," Jan. 11.) At the Druids' Hall last oveniug Air H. Atmore, M.l', tor Nelson, was entertained nt a social gathering by-his friends and supporters. Fully three hundred persons were present. Air \V. Lock, chairman of Mr Atmore's election committee, presided, and Air W. Rout (.vice-chairman), was also on the platform, .before the proceedings commenced the Garrison baud played several selections outside the H:\jj. The chairman., in his opening' remarks, said that the gathering was organised for the purpose of doing honour to Mr Atmore and to celebrato the magnificent victory he had attained at the last election. Mr Atmorc's was th© largest majority that had beon gained in Nelson, and,one of the largest that had been gained by~any candidate in New. Zealand. (Applause.) A programme of vocal and instrumental items was then submitted, to which the following contributed: Misses Smith and Vaughan (pianoforte duet), Misses Avery, Mitchell, Willcocks, Annear, Messrs Harris, Bunny, Kirton, F. Lock (songs), members of the Garrison Band (instrumental quartette), Mr Parker (banjo'solo), and Air Murphy (cornet solo). The majority of the accompaniments Mere played by Aliss Vaughan. At the conclusion of the programme Air Lock made a few remarks. He said in Mr Atmore they had a member who would do justice to the city. He was elected as an Independent,,- and would be a tower of strength to. any party. He was a .man ■■wjiq/ beltyyed"'l, in measures,'not men; ami would"Wirthe greatest good to the greatest number. Air Lock severely condemned the party system. He said it iuul dccji apparent in local politics, and factions had opposed things that were in thu best interests of the people. He instanced the agitation to prevent the repairs to the large dam. Mr Atmore, he said, deserved credit for the action he took in preventing the Roding river fiasco, which if carried out would have increased the rates and thereby the cost of living. Referring to the last election, he said that it was one of the cleanest that had been fought, and now all feeling should he buried. Mr Atmore, lie felt sure, would pay as much attention to those wh» opposed him as to those who supported him, and no one would regret having him as their member.' (Applause.) He concluded by wishing Air Atmoro a long and successful career in Parliament. Mr Atmore would make his mark in Parliament, as he was a magnificent debater, a keen critic, and a quick thinker. Air W. Rout also congratulated Air Atmore on his election. He was fortunate in having a well organised committee, and much of his success was due to the ladies' committee.- He said that in.his opinion Air Atmoro was or the same stamp as the late Air T. E. Taylor and Messrs Laurcnson and Fisher. Air Isitt was supposed to have taken Air Taylor's place, but fie said that Air Atmoro had done so. Air Atmore, who was received with cheers, said he had been warned to keep clear of politics, and he behoved thoy were quite right, as the people had had enough of politics for the last three months, and were not there to hear politics. The whole Dominion Tind had enough of politics, and in his opinion had had enough of thorn for the next three years. Notwithstanding the predictions of another election ru; did not think the Dominion would have it. A man, he said, would lie something less than human not to be gratified at the reception he had received. Air Rout had referred to tho ladies, and he was satisfied that no man could win an election unless he had them on his side. Air Atmore referred to the cost of living,'and said that any man who was prepared to tackle that question would have tho ladies rally round his banner. Air Atmore spoke" of the absurdity of tho Second Ballot Act, and ho believed that as the Opposition and a majority of the Government were opposed. to it that it would bo abolished, and a system of preferential voting introduced before next election. Ho expressed his sincere, thanks to his committees throughout the-district, from Bulwer to Wakefield, for the manner in which they had worked for him. In 1902, when lie first stood for Nelson, ho had Air Rout and others working for him, and up till the last election they had been an ever increasing force. He had pro"bably had more tries for the seat than any man, and he was satisfied that he had not had fair play from a Government official, and that was why he had persevered; also because ho felt that his work had been recognised and that lie would win in the long run. If he did his duty, and ho intended to, in tho broad arena of Parliament, it would be their duty to keep him there. In regard to the reference to Mr Taylor, if Air Bout meant the fullest criticism of anything he (ATr Atmore) believed to be wrong, then he was prepared to (ill that rolo. It was about time tho absurd system of party government I was wiped out, because under that1 system' the people woro not getting : the benefit of the best brains. When they elected a man he went to Parliament to represent Nelson, not to represent Sir Joseph Ward or Mr Masse?. A man betrayed his trust if he forgot to represent Nelson. The late Air Seddon said that a man went to Parliament and was responsible to no one except his .constituents. That was true Liberalism and not the Liberalism that they had in New Zealand to-day.'; Liberalism meant measures for" the1 beitofitbf the peoplo and not th? Partr?. Mr Lock had mentiqasd

the Roding river, but lie forgot thai Mr" Lock and Mr Pettit were e-quallj associated with himself in preventing that sehemo from being carried out What they wanted in New Zealanc was a, strong Government,* and an economical Government, ami whichI ever party came nearest to that woul< have his vote. It had been state*! that an Independent did not have anj intluenco in the House, but the mer. who-hold the Government in the hoi ; low of their hands to-day wore the Labour and Independent- memborh To-day they wero tho most influentia' members in New Zealand. His vote would bo for the best interests oi Nelson and the Dominion, irrespective of Sir Joseph Ward or Mr Massey. Mi Atinore concluded by again thanking his nuniorous committees, and every one for the sacrifices they had made on his behalf, and said there was nc sacrifice he could make that he would not make for the people who had done so much ,for him. (Loud applause.) Refreshments wero then handed round, after which the Hall was cleared for dancing, and a very pleasant gathering terminated.