"A MISERABLE EXHIBITION."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 220, 17 March 1914, Page 5

"A MISERABLE EXHIBITION."

j THE PREMIER AND MR. ATMORE. | AN ABSENCE OF TACT. By Telegraph—i'ress Association. * ■ Nelsoli, Lust Night. ; The Right Hon. W, F. Massey addressed a very large meetihg to-night, dealing with the political position on the lines of his Blenheim speech last week. Towards the close he referred to the recent speech delivered in Hawke's Bay by the member, for Nelson, in which it. was stated that Mr Massey was now the head of. a family which had. been, left a large sum of money. He presumed this to refer to his father, who .had left £2OOO. Mr Atmore, who was on the, platform, ■ denied having made the statfcinent/whicji Mj Massey -gaid had not been corrected an the paper in which it appealed., ' When the motion of thanks and confidence had been moved and spoken to, Mr Atmore m6ved'an amendment t# 'de-« lete the word ."confidence," and explained that he had referred to Mr. Her-' ries' father. He was .proceeding to criticise the Government.' Objection was taken to Mr Atmore addressing the meeting, "but the Mfcvor, jrho occupied r the chair-,• ruled -that he fould speak tQ his amendment. After Mr Atmore had vainly tried to make'himself heard for some time, the Mayor declared the meetiw* closed, ftinid ' >chcers for Mr Massey and a counterdemonstration. ■ ,

In a subsequent statement ,to the Press, the Prime Minister said lie had intended io make some reply to ffl. Atmore. He did not bl;-me the M aT>or for leaving the chair. What had taken place was the most miserable exhibition lie had seen ip. his twenty years.' experience, and he was now sneakin" of the interference of the member for tbe district, Mr. Atmore. ,