ALLEGED "WOBBLING."

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 25, 27 May 1912, Page 5

ALLEGED "WOBBLING."

STRICTURES BY THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION. MR. ATMORE'S ATTITUDE. ijfer Pr«ss Association 3 Auckland; May 26. In reply to the speech delivered at Nelson by Mr." Atmore, M.P., Mr. Masaey, Leader of the Opposition, has made the following communication to the press:— . "Mr. Atmore has evidently attempted to justify his position, and he evidently finds difficulty in so doing. He stood as an Independent, but I have no hesitation in saying he maao stronger anti-Government speeches than a great many straight-out Oppositionists. At the second ballot he had Opposition support, and he was elected. He told our organiser his vote would depen dupon the wording of the no-confidence amendment. _ He. came to my room and discussed it, and expressed himself as perfectly Satisfied, though he said he had reasons for not declaring himself one way or other. At another interview in the same room he told us of the requirements of Nelson, the difficvilbics about the Recreation Ground, railway extension to Murchison, etc., and then wound up by asking me again to visit Nelson. I bad spoken to a huge gathering in Nelson before he election. I accepted the invitation, and again he expressed himself as satisfied with the wording of the amendment, but when the division bell rang, Mr. Atmore voted the other way. "The Nelson papers have discussed the suggested reason for his change of front, and t.leave it at that. I have had a pretty long Parliamentary experience, bu no one has treated me or my party so shamefully as the member for* Nelson.; and now he follows up his previous action (judging from, the Press Association reports) by political abuse. I leave the people of Nelson to judge inc." RETALIATING TO MR. MASSEY. ,; : ."' ' | "Nelson', May 26. ' With reference to Mr.. Massey's statement at Auckland, regarding the position of the, member, for Nelson, and ■fAter views between them, Mr. Atmore, ' M.P;, has handed a lengthy reply to ' the '.'Colpnist.',' He says that Ins.,po''ai/tiqq needs no justification. He stood "as an Independent, unpledged to either Sir Joseph Ward or Mr. Massey. The latter, lie says, either deliberately or through loss of memory, has misrepresented what occurred in his room at the Parliamentary Buildings. The Opposition organiser interviewed him at Nelson, and asked how he would vote on a no-confidence motion. He replied that he would require to be i shown reasons, why the Government , should,lie deposed. He would vote or the, merits of each question, but would support a freehold motion., After the he saw Mr. Massey, at the Matter's request, and asked him what he would be prepared to do for Nelson's requirements. He explained himself as favourable to the prosecution of the railway to Murchison, a grant for the Recreation Ground, and other matters. Mr. Massey showed him several drafts of no-confidence motions, including the one subsequently defeated. Mr. Atmore suggested that he chould make a division on the freehold question. Mr. Massey replied that he could not do so, as he wished to catch the Labour votes, and their platform was leasehold. In reply to a question he said that the motion would most decidedlv be supported if arguments were shown why the Government should be unseated. Mr. Atmore said that if reasons were not shewn he would vote for the Government on the understanding that the party was ieformed from "within. "When leavng," Mr. Atmore continues, "I sad: 'You understand, I am not pledging myself, but will vote on the merits of the question.' Mr. Massey said: 'I fully understand.' " Mr. 'Atmore said that so far as abusing Mr. Massey was concerned, he considered him privately as a strictly honest man, but us a political leader he Avas hopelessly incompetent. His whole career had been one of blunder and apologies. He predicted that in twelve months' f, me Mr Massey would not be the leader rf the Reform Party, which had pbler men. Mr. Atmore added that he was propared to meet Mr. Massey on the platform at any time. Mr. Atmore aidressed an open-fiir meeting last right in reply to Mr. Massey, speaking on the above lines.