TRIBUTE TO LATE MR. H. ATMORE

Chronicle (Levin), 23 August 1946, Page 6

TRIBUTE TO LATE MR. H. ATMORE

-Press Associattori

PARLIAMENT ADJOt R^S ' MARK OF RESPECT

By Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, August. 22.. Conseious of the loss of oue of thcir colleagues, Memb.ers" of thd'VRouso oi Represent.ati.ves', when- ''they met tliis afternoon in a subdued atui'ospherey listened quietly and attentively >-to debply felt tributes paid by' Ihe Prime Minister, and Leader of Ihe' Oppo'sition to the qtialities and a'bility" '6'f • th'e lafe • Mr. H. Atmofe, M.P. for Nelson;. . Mr. Fraser said the Housd w:da shoeked Ihs't eveiiing when it'Veeeiveu news of. the sudden death of 'Mr. AVmore and the eirc'uiiistances oi liis pass-' ing gav-e'additional sorrow to thweveni Mr. Praser said he had received a-ihes-sage from Mrs. Atmore who was on ner way to C nited States to attend tne Womeh^s Conferenee /and' she to'o hau been shoeked but was shq'wing k bra\ v at'titude in faee of such a' bTow:1 Ab Meinbers of the House would send t'heir sincere condolences to Mrs. Atmore aua relatives. ' ' ' ' ' The Prime Minister said Mr. Atmore had been a promineut Membc'r of tnu House for the last 30 years and to suy that he was a prominent politic.al fxgure was underestiniating his standihg. as an Independent, the greatest interesi had always revolved around 'Mr. Admore 'a position. He had always been liberal but as the ybars went by he becaine more advanced and progressive in his outlook. He had many qualities •which endeared him to the House ana his colleaguos, anu was well known as a ivalker and hiker, there being h'ardly a part of the Dominion he had not explored. Although Mr, Atmore had retainea indepe-ndence in politics, that did not prevent him playing an iinportant part " in the educational field, partieularly m the Nelson district. He also took' a a strong interest in the control of c'ujrency and credit for the beneiit of the people as a whole and in regard to international matters, he saw the greai danger of hations not understanding each other and threw his weiglit on tne side of understanding and fellowship between nations. Mr. Fraser said he eould say truiy that Mr. Atmore had piayed n very important part in the political life anu destiny of New Zealand. Mr. Fraser traversed the outstandmg events in Mr. Atinore's political lire and said that the position of an inaependent in politics was not always 'easy and to independents who did not wisn to assoeiate with any political party, great force of charaeter was requirea. Mr. Atmore had a record of which both t'^e House and country could be proud. "We deeply regret his passing," said Mr. Fraser, "and we exprcss the greatest sympathy to Mrs. Atmore and reiatives and we feel proud that he was able to give in this Houso sucli a great service to his country," Mr. S. G. Holland, associatiug himself and the Opposition with the generous and appropriate tribtite to Mr. Atmore by the Prime Minister, said that New Zealand and Nelson liad suffered a greap loss in his passing. .As an Independent. Mr. Atmore had not. made many close political friends but he was well-knowu to all Members and was one of Nelson s greatest sons. Ris main interest was education with a bias toward agricuitural education which he had maintamed for a very long period. He would always be remembered for his work in that direction. He was intere^ted too, in money reform, banking und eredi.t, and in international affairs. He was a staunch champion for eloser relations with Kussia. . Mr. Holland said he could not remember a single occasion when Mr. Atmore ivas bitter in politics and he never dealt with personalities. He said particular sympathy would be shovvn to Mrs. Atmore. He would always give Mr. Atmore full credit for serving lus coijntry according to his lights, and expressed sympathy to the people of Nelson who had lost such a staunch supporter and champion of their rights. A number of other speakers addea their tributes before the House adjourned at 3.38 as a inark of respect, until 10.30 tomorrow.