REFORM'S PROSPECTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 251, 23 October 1928, Page 10

REFORM'S PROSPECTS.

MR. COATES WELL SATISFIED.

AFTER SOUTH ISLAND JOUR.

HOPES TO GAIN SEATS.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

"Very satisfactory indeed," said the Prime Minister, in commenting on his visit to the South Island, on his return to Wellington to-day.

Mr. Coates said he had addresseld meetings in Christchurcli, Dunedin, Invcrcargill, and Otautau, and he had met a number of candidates of other besides efectora in all walks of life, who are exhibiting interest in the weilfare of the Dominion. "Every* where," he said, " I found complete confidence concerning the results of the elections. The Reform supporters were steadfast, - and they reportwl that they wore adding to their numbers every day. My _ visit to the South Island ,on this occasion was sufficient to convince me that not only will the Reform party hold its own there, but that there' is every prospect of our representation in Parliament from the South being increased."

Mr. Coates added that he had found that a plain, direct statement of the facts of the case as they applied to New •Zealand's emergence from the world-wide depression of 1026, and the prospects ahead, the achievements of the Government during the past three years, and the work to be done in the immediate future appealed to the people. He and his colleagues were prepared to stand by their record, and from his experience in the South he was sure the electors-appre-ciated that the Government had acted wisely and well.during a difficult period.

Mr. -'Coates, accompanied by Mrs. Goatcs, left by the afternoon express for Dargaville, where he will address his own constituents to-morrow night.