REFORM'S RECORD

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 141, 11 December 1929, Page 14

REFORM'S RECORD

j\ffi. ATMOEE'S VIEWS

REASONS FOR REJECTION

Reasons why tho Reform Party had lost tho confidence- of the electors and why the people should continue to have confidence in tho present Government wero given by tho Minister of Education (tho Hon. H. Atmore) when he spoke in tho King George Theatre, Lower Hutt, last evening, in support of tho candidature of Mr. James Kerr, the United candidate for the Hutt seat.

Mr. Atmore said ho believed tho pcoplo of New Zealand were ono of tho most intelligent democracies in the world, and iv view of that thero must bo some very strong reasons for the manner in which tho people in 1928 reversed tho verdict they gave in 1925, and reduced the Reform strength in cho House from fifty-fivo to twentyeight. Ono of the main reasons was the utter failure of the Reform Government to settle tho land. Tho land policy of the Reform Government had been a disastrous one, in view of New Zealand's dependence on its primary industries. The Minister severely criticised the actions of tho late Government in regard to.soldier settlement, and gave details of purchases made with the object of showing how impossible it was for soldiers to make a living on the land selected. Tho Government had ignored the advice of its officers. Another reason why the people had rejected the Reform Party was on account of its failure to make money available under the State Advances Act, which was one of the finest measures ever placed on the Statute Book ■of any country. (Applause.) If it had uot been for the generous advances made by the United Government the unemployment position last year would lave been much worse than it actually was. Mr. Atmore gave the railway construction policy of tho lato Government as another reason for its . rejection, and mentioned particularly the attitude Mr. Coates had adopted in regard to the Kirikopuui line and the South Island Main Trunk.

Passing to a review of the work of the last session, tho Minister referred to the passing of legislation in connection with land settlement, the decision to push on with the completion of Main Trunk lines, and the- passing of legislation providing for the establishment of rest homes for old people who were unable to look after themselves. He defended the imposition of tho primago duty, in view of the financial position of the country, and claimed that the United Party had honoured the pledges it had made to the electors during the 1928 campaign. Ho thought the accomplishments of" the 1929 session would measure up with the accomplishments of previous sessions. There was still much to be done, but he was sure the verdict the people of the Hutt would give on polling day would be one of encouragement to the United Party to go on with the work it had taken up.

Mr. Atmore said ho was pleased to bo to inform the people of the district that Sir Joseph Ward wag making a good recovery from his illiiess. (Loud applause.) lie did not regard the United Government so much as a party as a body of men anxious to do their very best for the Dominion as a whole, and with the wise guidance of Sir Joseph they should bo able to achieve much. "I put it to you," said Mr. Atmore, "that there is nothing in the re-cord of Re-form to justify their return to power, and there is nothing to justify the return of an opponent to tho Government. All we have done in the twelve months we have been in office has been .consistent with tho platform pledges made by the Prime Minister. Wo have done nothing to justify a vote of no-confidence in tho present Government. I put this to you: if you had a thousand pounds to invest, which of the present leaders in the House would you give it to."

A voice-: "Joey." (Loud applause.)

Mr. Atmore: "I knew very well that an intelligent audience would know the answer to that question. Well, how much more necessary is it that wo should have an able- financier at the head of affairs when there are millions

at stake, when, indeed, the very happiness of the people is at stake. I have

no apprehensions as to what your verdict is going to be next "Wednesday." (Appkluse.) No questions were asked, and at the conclusion of Mr. Atmoro's address a motion thanking the Minister for his address and expressing appreciation of the United Party's work and continued confidence in Sir Joseph Ward and his Government was carried with only one dissentient voice. There was an attendance of over 200 people at the meeting, and the Minister was accorded a very patient hearing, his remarks being frequently punctuated with applause. There were no interjections from beginning to end. Mr. F. Campbell was in the chair.