WELCOMED IN LONDON.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 247, 18 October 1926, Page 7

WELCOMED IN LONDON.

N.Z.s PRIME MINISTER I *w?-i:i?/?* \ INVITATION TO MIGRANTS. (By Cable.—Press Association.— CopyrigUt.) LONDON, October 17. Mr. J. G. Coates, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, and his party arrived in cold and gloomy weather at Southampton on Friday. They were met by Sir James Parr, Hijjli Commissioner for Xew Zealand, and Lady Pair. Sir Francis Bell, and the British hospitality officer. The steamer was boarded by the aldermen of Southampton in their full robes, who extended a welcome to Mr. and Mrs. Coates aboard. Mr. Coates said Xew Zealand would value the kindly thought which had prompted Southampton's official welcome. The port was well known in Xew Zealand, as most of the migrants to the Dominion in recent years had passed through it. On behalf of the Dominion Mr. Coates extended an invitation to any who desired to follow the migrants' example. ]n an interview Mr. Coates said the greatest kindness had been shown to them in America. They were proud of the fact that President and Mrs. Coolidge should have seen them within an hour of their arrival at Washington. At Los Angeles they had spent two interesting days watching the production of films. Mrs. Coates was photographed there with Tom Mix. Mr. Coates said he hoped, as a result of his meeting with business men in New York, that Xew Zealand would be enabled to spud more products to the Cnitod States. SLUMP IN PRICES. Although X'ew Zealand at present was prosperous, they were naturally dependent upon world prices for their primary products, and had recently felt the slump in mutton and dairy produce prices. He was not aware that the slump in butter prices was attributed to X'ew Zealand operators storing up supplies in London. He desired to emphasise the poiut that the New Zealand Dairy Control Board was not a Government concern, though the Government would be bound to act if the board's operations militated against the general prosperity of the Dominion. | '"Although there is little chance of a sweeping enlargement of our intake of emigrants with our present capacity of absorption." said Mr. Coates, "we heartily welcome hard-working men who are ready to take oh" their coats to work and to settle down into good citizens.'' ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION. Representatives of the British Government, and New Zealand residents in London, who shouted greetings in Maori, welcomed Mr. and Mrs. Coates at Waterloo Station. They were delighted with the reception. Mr. Coates informed London journalists that Xew Zealand would extend a sincere welcome to the Duke, and Duchess of York. He said the Dominion was keenly desirous of increasing the proportion of British films shown there and was willing to impose a quota or special preference with this object in view. He said: "Our affection for the Mother Country is a most real thing. We remember what we have owed to Britain in our infancy." The entire influence of Xew Zealand would be cast on the side of Imperial unity, which was of the most vital importance to world peace and to civilisation. New Zealand realised she was not bearing her fair share of defence, and in this question she would be guided by the advice of the British authorities. The Singapore naval base was an indisputable necessity of oversea defence. One of New Zealand's greatest needs was improved sea communications, and this was one of the questions likely to arise at the Imperial Conference. Mr. Coates is making arrangements to visit France to extend bis personal thanks to the peasants with whom he was billeted in war-time. Jle will also take a message from many old soldiers in New Zealand.