MR. COATES ON TOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 260, 2 November 1928, Page 10

MR. COATES ON TOUR.

REPLIES TO MR. HOLLAND.

CIVIL SERVANTS' WAGE "CUT"

HOW WOULD HE RESTORE IT?

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

PUKEKOHE, Thursday

The Prime Minister had an audience which packed the Strand Theatre when he delivered a campaign addreas in Pukekohe to-night.

Mr. Coates paid a little attention to Mr. Holland's speech in Auckland and his references to increased family allowances. Mr. Holland credited him with saying that the Government intended to make an allowance of £250,000 annually. Mr. Holland misrepresented the position. What he did say was that the estimated cost of family allowance would ultimately range from £200,000 to £230,000, and increases would be made as soon as the country was in the position to stand them.

Mr. Holland's reference to the restoration of the 1921 "cut" in Civil servants' salaries was made, said Mr. Coates, by the leader of a party which was putting itself up to the highest bidder, and which was going to pay for it with the country's money, and by a party which had no responsibility. The position was that since the "cut" was made a process of regrading and reclassification of public servants had taken place, and it would be extremely difficult to restore the "cut." How this could be done only Mr. Holland could say. As soon as the country was in the position the Government would consider the matter and give bene. fits if possible.

With reference to Mr. Sterling, Mr. Coates said that while Mr. Holland criticised the general manager's salary and superannuation he did not say where he could get someone better to manage the railways. He (Mr. Coates) believed Mr. Sterling would make good, because ho had the co-operation of railway servants and he was striving to obtain the cc-operation of the public.

The Prime Minister described Mr. Holland':, statement that there was no order or method in the running of Parliament us ridiculous, and too absurd for words. "What would he suggest? Eight hours a day '!" aeked Mr. Coates. Parliament was conducted well, and" he believed the majority of members agreed euclj was the case. Last session more work had been done in lese time than usual. Mr. Holland had received better treatment from him than any other Leader of the Opposition ever had.

Mr. Holland had asserted that the Government had tricked the people over the Licensing Bill, Said Mr. Coates. He gave it an emphatic denial, and considered the country had had a fair and square deal, and the people knew it. The leader of the New Zealand Alliance had confirmed this. With reference to the printing of ballot papers, Mr. Holland had been assured that nothing but local restoration papers had been printed and not those dealing with the main issue, but despite documentary evidence to this effect he continued to make such state- - ments.

A unanimous vote of thanks and confidence in the Government was passed, and Mr. Coatee was loudly cheered.

Mr. J. N. Massey, the Reform candidate for Franklin, also spoke, and he was described by Mr. Coates as "one of the finest colts that hoe ever stepped on the platform."