THE NELSON MEETING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11029, 18 March 1914, Page 7

THE NELSON MEETING.

ATMORE AND MASSEY. SOME LIVELY INCIDENTS. (By Telegraph—-Special to " Star.") < NELSON, March 17. The liveliest political meeting ever held in Nelson was addressed by the Prime Minister last evening in the Theatre Royal. The Mayor (Mr "\V. Lock) . presided. The Reform League hid' invited Mv- Hawy ; Atmore, M.P., to the platform, and when ho walked on with Mr Slassey arid the Mayor hearty cheers were given for him. These were repeated at intervals. The audience was good humoured but out . for fun. v When the Prime Minister Tead a quotation from a Haivke's Bay news- 1 paper in which he said Sir Atmore had made a statement concerning him, the audience called: "We want Atmore to reply P" Mr Atmore did not. jeply, then, : but the moment a, vote of coniidence in Mr Massey was moved the member for Nelson 6tood up amidst cheers and • moved an amendment that all the words after " a vote of thanks to Mr Massey " should be deleted.; j ; f-'Mr Atmore said /no Government wasentitled to the confidence of the. people ol.Nelson which had stopped then-rail-way construction in a ; -year ■in which the Prime Minister boasted -they had epent more on railway construction than was spent in any previous year. (Cheers.) Sir Atmore continued, amidst applause, ." No Government, is entitled to Nelson's confiden'ceof which most of its ministers had voted against the old age pensions ? insiira nee, and a host ot other beneficent " measures, put through -by the Liberals.'? (Cheers from the audience and boohooing frotti the Reformers on the platform;) • Some of those present then attempt- • ed/to prevent Sir Atmore from speaking, but he waved.'thpm aside v !md' continued speaking to the..amendment. Mr Slassey then attempted to-speak, but" Mr Atmore insisted' that he - -was in order, and the Prime Slinister must not interrupt.. (Cheers from the audi- - e "so it continued. Occasionally, the ' audience would rock, with laughter as : a pointed: barb of sarcasm, would hit I some interjecting Reformer. The au- ! dience was thoroughly with Sir Atmore. 1 > ' 1 : chairman filially left'the chair, arid the people gave cheers for their member. The Reformers attempted to put another chairman in, but the audience would have none of it. A solo call was introduced, /' Who voted against old- age " . to which 'a ' chorus of '' Massey " was given. ' ■ - This was occasionally alternated with ■ " Who stopped our railway "' Chorus, ' "Slassey." ff Who will be our member next year?" Chorus,, " Harry Atmore." "Who beat Slassey to-night?" Chorus, "Why, our Harry!" "When Mr Atmore reached the street ' the crowd gave him three cheers and insisted on a speech from him. He : 6poke for about forty-five minutes and every.'point was. received with cheers. -Mr Atmore will leave for Wellington to-morrow evening and on Thursday •will address a meeting in tlie Wellington Town Hall.