REFORM BALLY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 71, 24 March 1928, Page 12

REFORM BALLY.

PRELIMINARY TO CAMPAIGN.

ADDRESS BY MR COATES.

"DEPRESSION DISAPPEARINC?."

(By Telepr.iph.—-Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, this day,

Described as "the kick-off of the election campaign," a meeting of Government supporters and members of Wellington and Hutt branches of the Political Reform League was held last night, when the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. J. G. Coates, gave an address.

Mr. Coates referred to Samoan affairs and to the unemployment difficulties, saying that the depression was fast disappearing, this being shown by improved trade figures. The exports from New Zealand in January and February had been particularly large, showing an increase of 50 per cent over the exports in the corresponding two months of last year. He also stated that in the eleven months of the financial year which ended in February 29 the immigrants who arrived in the country numbered only 3587, against 11,239 in the same period in 11)27.

At the conclusion of Mr. Coates' address the following resolution was carried unanimously: "That this meeting of Government suporters in Wellington places on record its high appreciation of the statesmanlike qualities displayed by the Right Hon. J. G. Crates in the discharge of his onerous duties since his acceptance of the Prime Minister's office in May. 1925, and its continued confidence in that gentleman and his colleagues, and pledges all present to further support of the Reform Government at the general election this year, feeling sure that the destinies of the country can be best served by the continuance in office of the Government that has done so much during the last Sixteen years to strengthen the bonds of the Empire, to maintain the credit of the country hoth at home and abroad, and to legislate honestly and fairly in the interests of the community generally, without favour to any particular class."