THE NELSON SEAT.

Colonist, Volume LXII, Issue 15239, 28 November 1919, Page 3

THE NELSON SEAT.

MR. ATMORE AT WAKAPUAKA

Mr. Harry Atmoro addressed the electors at Wakapuaka, in. the Foresters iiall, last evening, when there was a good attendance. Mr. Aluorough was* voted to the chair. The candidate spoke for li hours, and was frequently applauded"." He dealt with the causes of tue high cost of living, and then referred to the necessity tor increased production, emphasising ttie point that all the problems awaiting solution could be s-.olveg^on sound constitutional lines. He showed how aggregation oi- holdings .had taken place in the North island, thus nullifying the work done under the- Lana for Settlements Act, one man having secured nineteen holdings. The extent of the evil was shown by.the fact tnat in 1917 there were 800 Sewer holdings in the Wellington land district than in 1 911, although a larger area was undei occupation. He threw fresh light on the uetorra Party's attitude towards railway construction in the teoutji Island by quoting from a speech delivered m Auckland recently by Mr. Clutha Mackenzie, the .Reform candidate, who said:— "The South. Island was the stronghold of the Liberals. Already it had -more railways than the North Island, with a lesser population, and if .tne Liberals were returned to power there would be a recurrence of their old policy of dragging weary lines of railway across barren deserts in the Spufch Island, v you vote Liberal, Auckland will be loft to get Oiong the best way she can with her awful clay roads; while those stupid railway, lines arc constructed all over the country in the South."

Mr. Atm'ore said the foregoing extract was a. very frank statement that Liberals would build South Island railways, including, of course, our GienhopcAlurcluson lino, and the statement mipJied that our South island lines would not bo constructed if the Reform Part} were returned, and he was sure Nelson and Motueka electors would carefully study this statement of antagonism to oar railway works in this Island from a pronounced Reformer like Mr. Ciutlia Mackenzie. Incidentally, Mr. Atmore mentioned he had received several telegrams from Murehison. wishing him success because of his advocacy of this necessary work. A vote of thanks to nnd confidence in Mr. Atmore was then moved by Mr. Stagg, seconded by Mr. .Bailey, and .carried unanimously. A strong committee of twelve electors was then formed to further Mr. Atmore's interest*.—Communicated. I