"A REAL MAN."

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18517, 20 October 1925, Page 9

"A REAL MAN."

* . OPPONENT'S TRIBUTE TO MR COATES. A remarkable tribute was paid to Mr Coatcs by Mr J. McGrath, the well-known Wellington barrister who is standing as the Liberal candidate in Wellington North. Mr McGrath was giving an account of the negotiations for his contesting Wellington Centra), and in tho courso of his remarks lie said:—"Later the Prime Minister asked mo to see him at Parliament Buildings, and I had with him an interview lusting nearly an hour, which I will always remember with gratitude for tjjo noble words spoken by him to me with regard to his views on toleration of different sections of the community, and how the war had brought homo to him the real brotherhood of British manhood, irrespective of what branch of the Christian faith they practised. This statement from Mr Coates made the blood run in my veins, and I felt 1 was speaking to a real man. I explained my political position to Mr Coates, and told him, and I will tell you to-night, the circumstances under which I would support him. He said this was quite satisfactory to him, and 1 could have the Reform Party's support for either Wellington Central or Wellington South, tho party representatives for the other two electorates have already been chosen. I declined the Prime Minister's offer, hut felt a happier man for the inspiring interview I had with him." Mr McGrath, later in his speech, made a violent attack on the Reform Party, but again reiterated his opinion of tho Prime Minister. He said that as the head of a National GoTernment he would be a great national asset, and added: "If he becomes the head of a Government of a. combination of the two constitutional Parties in the House, he will have my wholehe arte. J support, whether I am in or cut of Parliament."