NELSON'S NEEDS.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13391, 12 February 1914, Page 6

NELSON'S NEEDS.

Speaking in Nelson last week one of the many organisers of the Reform Party, a guileless young man who must have learnt his lesson rather badly, announced that Mr. Massey would visit the district shortly for the purpose of ascertaining the requirements of the district. Of coitrse it is quite proper, as 'well as nice and' friendly, for the Prime Minister to move about among the people in -election year, but we ("Lyttelton Times") should have ..thought that in view of what happened in Nelson three years ago lie would have been careful not to 'bluntly advertise the object of his coming visit. Mr. Atmore was then an Independent candidate for the representation of the constituency in Parliament and he was adroitly avoiding committing himself tv either party. His instincts were Liberal, as they always have been, and his speeches were soundly progressive, but the Ward Government had not taken him up as its official candidate, and it was whispered abroad that by a little judicious sweetening he might be lured into the Opposition camp. The case seemed so promising to the Reform organisers that Mr. Massey took it in hand himself and very shortly the good people of Nelson had the satisfaction of hearing that in the event of the Reformers succeeding at the polls public works in their district, railways, roads and bridges, and the rest, would proceed apace. Their needs, were numerous and diverse,, and in the event of a certain contingency happening hone of them was to be neglected. .The":- Reformers did not succeed' at the polls'^-.but parties...were so evenly balanced in the new House that a little re-arrangement of the contending forces let Mr. Massey into office. Mr Atrnore, however, was not prepared.to adjust his views to the altered circumstances, and in spite, of all temptation, as Mr. Gilbert has it, he remained a very Liberal Independent. Now he is recognised as one of the most effective speakers on the progressive side of politics, and is the particular bete noire of the Minister of Customs, who doubtless sees in the member for Nelson a formidable rival in the field of platform oratory. But apparently Mr. Atmore is not going to be allowed to put the needs of his constituency before the Government again, Mr] Massey is going to discover them himself and apparently to indicate to the electors how. they might be satisfied.