MR ATMORE AT AUCKLAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11207, 13 October 1914, Page 3

MR ATMORE AT AUCKLAND.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING. THE GOVERNMENT INDICTED. [From Our Correspondent.] AUCKLAND, October 12. Mr Harry Atmore, member for _ Nelson, addressed a large and enthusiastic meeting at the Town Hall, called at short notice. Over 2000 persons were present. Mr P. J. Neherny presided.

| Mr Atmoro spoke for over two hours, being heartily cheered during tho j course of his speech, whilst at tho conelusion ho received a great ovation, the audieuco vising and giving him cheer after cheer. His rotorts to interjectors speedily silenced them. His criticism of the Massey Administration was caustic and brought forth rounds of applause, especially when 111 measured terms lio denounced the Government in connection with the Huutly disaster and tho canteen scandal. Ho announced that ho would prove every statement from Government documents and as each charge was made he produced proof in the shape of official papers or Hansards." He dealt with tho land question, the Public Service Commissioners, tho remission of Customs duties for anything tho Governor chose to import, the Government at tho same time refusing to reduce Customs taxation paid by the workers. Ho referred to the importation of the General Manager of Railways at a salary of £6O per week, and by way of contrast stated that the Government also imported a labourer, twenty years of age, and bound him down at 7a 6d per week, from which 6s 6d per week was deducted until the £lO passage money was refunded, thus leaving the labourer Is per week tor over thirty weeks. He said when dealing with the Huutly disaster that the forty-two miners wore killed through the criminal negligence of the Government in not carrying out the recommendation of the Mines Commission, which was set up by tho Ward Government in 1911. He said that one of the members appointed by the Massey Government on the present Commission was one of those who went to Wellington when the Government proposed to bring in legislation and who exerted such pressure that the Government dropped the Bill, for which it was roundly denounced in the House recently by Mr Poland, member for the mining district of Oliinemuri. Mr Atmore's references to Mr Lloyd George's work in the Old Country were warmly received, and he asked the audience whether they had considered on which side of politics Mr Lloyd George would have been were he in the Dominion. t Every reference mado to Sir Joseph Ward was cheered, and at the conclusion a member of the audience stood up and called for cheers for Sir Joseph, which were most heartily given. The following resolution was proposed by Mr Trevithick, "That this large and enthusiastic meeting of Auckland electors heartily thanks Mr Atmore, member for Nelson, for his able and interesting address, and, further, pledges itself to do all in its power to defeat the Tory Government j at the coming elections." The motion was seconded by Mr I Briggs and carried unanimously.