PRIME MINISTER.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19462, 8 November 1928, Page 10

PRIME MINISTER.

ENTHUSIASM FOR REFORM

« ROYAL PROGRESS " THROUGH MANAWATU.

[THE PBBSS Special Service.!

LEVIN, November 7. The Prime Minister made a royal progress through the Manawatu today. Wanganui electors had two further opportunities of hearing Mr Coates before he left this morning when he laid the foundation stone of the new hostel for the boys or the Wanganui Technical College, and later opened the A. and P. Association's Show. Mr Coates set a fine ideal of citizenship before the boys, who were called on to remember that the flag under which they were assembled stood for liberty, honour, and equal opportunity, and that it was their duty as they grew up to see that they did their utmost to keep New Zealand moving forward. As a momento of the occasion, Mr Coates was presented with a silver trowel by the senior prefect on behalf of the Board of Governors.

"1 have been a farmer for 40 years and I know this Government has done more for the farmers than any other that I have had anything to do with," Mr Coates was informed oy Mr Donald Ross, president of the A. and P. Association, and the tribute was endorsed by the gathering of farmers. Mr Coates quoted statistics showing how production had increased in the past few years in refutation of the suggestions of those whom he described as Jeremiahs and croakers going about saying that the country had gone to the dogs.

At Bolls. The main street of Bulls was decorated with bunting in honour of the Prime Minister's visit. Mr and Mrs Coates and party were entertained at luncheon by the local Reform executive. When his health was being proposed, Mr Coates was assured that in spite of a split vote Rangitikej would be sound and would return the official Reform candidate.

Regret was expressed by Mr abates that there should be rivals for the support of the Reform voters in any electorate, and while it was pleasant to know that good men were ready to give their services to aid the Government there was always the danger that a third candidate would slip in between the rivals. It did not seem to be fair that a man who had won the seat and had probably fought several elections should be asked to go to a selection ballot again It was the duty of the candidate who did not have the official nomination tc consider whether the interests of the Government should not come first so that there Would be a solid front and no chattce of a safe, sound majority being lessened. The same duty developed on the electors. Indicative of the feeling of Bulls was the enthusiastic reception again accorded to Mr Coates, when he appeared amongst the crowd outside. "That is rather funny," he said. "No one has said 'Hear, hear,' when I said some people contended that the country was going to the dogs, and I Had a reply all ready for him."

A voice: But we are all with you. (Applause,)

An Unscheduled jStop.

Cheers rang out for Mr and Mrs Coates as they made ready to move on to Foxton, where a pleasant surprise awaited them. All the, children of the school were drawn up alongside the road, across which four little girls held blue and white ribbons, making a barrier, impossible to pass Mr Coates had a lot of ground to cover to-day, but he stopped for a few minutes to inspect the children, give them a brief talk, and then send them away to play on the committee's acceptance of his suggestion that the occasion his first visit to the Foxton School, should be marked by letting them away for the remainder of the afternoon. Meeting at Foxton,

A loud-voiced, persistent interjector was promptly given his conge when the Prime Minister spoke to a big meeting in the Foxton Town Hall.

"Mo schools have been built in the country," the man kept on calling out. Mr Coates patiently insisted that there had been constructions in the rural districts, and that, if necessary, official figures would be furnished.

"that is not so, I differ," the man shouted.

The Prime Minister; I'm afraid you know nothing about schools. I think you had one in your district quite recently. Anyhow, what is your name? The heoklers I'm hot voting for you. The Prime Minister: Thank goodness for that. A voioe: This gentleman wants a two-up school. (Laughter,) The interjector: I have never seen a two-up school in life (Laughter.) "I think invalidity pensions will he about the first thing we shall tackle," the Prime Minister said, when dealing 'with the policy of the Government In humanitarian legislation. "We have already gone a long wfly in working out the scheme, .and seeing how we oah work in with the Friendly Societies. The scheme may cost about £300(000 to £350,000." A voice: Too much.

"It is not too muoh," the prime Minister replied, hi decisive tones', "It is not too mUoh because the present position is unfair. It is wrong for a man to think he would be better Out of the way because his wife and children would then ftet the pension. I have worked on this scheme for years, arid I believe we havd got over the difficulties at last. A voice: It sounds grand, hut if you wait too long, they will be all dead. The Prime Minister: T agree' we must hot wait long, but don't forget jt is this Gov«Jnrniont that has tackled it. Nobodv else did it. Tl '<* a ninf+nf of allocntins!. the responsibility for carrving it out. , "You have a so on the land for twpntv venrH. and see how you tike it." cn'ted th«> interjector later. The Primo Minister: That! Why. t had more than twentv vears on the land. T am not a di'd farmer, either" f Abniniise.V * hnvp-harl to <to thrhvvk the tl>Vk. of '*• (Renewed ab^'mise.) "T don't Wink fhore is nriv donht n? to what Government '?" Min«r returned nert Wednesday." Mr Coates conolndpd , The Prime Minister was accorded n unanimous vote of. thanks and confidence and he and his Party were entertained at tea by the Returned Soldiers' Association. Shannon residents crowded into the Council Chambers to meet the Prime Minister, and after he had spoken for a few minutes, they endorsed the sentimerits of Foxton. The Prime Minister had an enthusiastic meeting at Levin to-night. Once again the audience was too large for the theatre and after they had heard Mr Coates expound the policy and deeds of the Government, he was nrcorded a vote of thanks and confidence, with the singing of "For He's d Jolly Good Fellow 71 and cheers.