THE PRIME MINISTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 41, 18 February 1927, Page 8

THE PRIME MINISTER.

ARRIVAL AT AUCKLAND.

CORDIAL WELCOME AT

STATION.

THE FRIENDLY WAITRESSES.

The Prime Minister, accompanied bv Mrs. Coates, and his private secretary, Mr. C. A. Jeffery, arrived in Auckland by the Limited this morning, where he was most cordially received by a large crowd, which included an aide-de-camp trom Government House, with a message of welcome from his Excellency the Governor-General, members of Parliament, representatives of the municipality, boroughs, and business interests, and a number of railway .officials and workmen. Mr. Coates, looking debonair and fit, had a busy ten minutes shakiug hands with old friends, after which he proceeded with Mrs. Coates to the Grand Hotel.

"Alive and kicking, but that's about all," replied the Prime Minister, in response to one inquiry regarding his health. Mr. Coates has had a particularly busy time in Wellington since his return from the Imperial Conference, and he is doubtless feeling the strain, although he looks so well. Today he has been busily engaged at the Grand with deputations and Government business—one strenuous deputation being that representative of the unemployed, whose position in Auckland is as acute as before the Prime Minister went away.

The Prime Minister was unfeignedly glad to greet his Auckland friends. "1 am delighted to be back, indeed," he said. "Why, of course, I am always delighted to see Auckland, and particularly so after so long an absence as this has been."

"Hello, Bill! How are you?" asks Mr. Coates, turning to shake hands with a workman who saluted him from the railings. After a short chat with "Bill" and -some of his mates, Mr. Coates is hailed by a coHple of white-clad attendants from the little railway refreshment stall, who have run from their pies and coffee to take a peep at the Prime Minister. "Bravo. Mr. Coates! . calls one of the lassies, in a marked provincial English dialect. . a, to see you back—welcome back °kland! ' It was an infectious enthusiasm, and the girl's glad smile spread t* all faces. "Thank von!" said * Coates, stepping up to tlic girls

and shaking hands warmly with them. Now that s real good of vou—verv nice of you, indeed." He chatted for a moment with the highly delighted girls and then moved along to acknowledge fresh salutations.

To-morrow the Prime Minister and Mrs. Coates will go North to the family homestead at Matakohe, where they will spend the week-end with the three children there before returning to Auckland to welcome the Duke and Duchess of \ork to New Zealand.