MR. COATES LEAVES FOR LONDON

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 169, 13 April 1935, Page 6

MR. COATES LEAVES FOR LONDON

Farewell at Thorndon INDICATION OF POLITICAL PROGRAMME Friendship and goodwill marked the departure of the Acting-Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, from Wellington last evening by the Limited express for Auckland on his way to London, where he will attend conferences with the British authorities on the meat question. He was accompanied by Mrs. Coates, the Public Service Commissioner, Mr. P. D. N. Verschaffelt, and the Minister’s personal secretary. Miss H. D. Montague. Ministers of the Crown, officers of State departments, and many friends saw the party off, and gave its members a kindly farewell. After lastminute conversations and personal good-byes and good wishes, a large gathering on the Thorndon station piatform gave three rousing cheers for Mr Coates and three more for Mrs. Coates. All the other members of the Cabinet in town were present, anti demonstrated friendship toward the departing Minister, whoso hard work during a record session of Parliament lias been appreciated and admired. Their united slogan was “Good-bye and good luck.” Before entraining Mr. Coates informed a representative of “The Dominion” that he would make a farewell statement to the people before he left Auckland. He mentioned that he was taking with him a preliminary draft of the financial position, and that while abroad he would give considerable attention to completing his 1935 Budget. It was almost certain, Mr. Coates said, that the next and last session of the present Parliament would not open until well on in August. In all-prob-ability it would be a brief one—not longer than two months. Thus the general election campaign would begin toward the end of October. It was too early yet to discuss Budgetary proposals, but several important Bills would be submitted for consideration. A short meeting of the Cabinet was held yesterday afternoon, when several questions were finalised. Mr. Coates mentioned that the matter of appointing a judge to preside over the Court of Review of Mortgagors’ Liabilities, as provided for by the Rural Mortgagors Final Adjustment BBL had been discussed, but he was not able to make an announcement as to Cabinet’s decision, as certain formalities still had to be observed. The Hon. E. A. Ransom will be Act-ing-Prime Minister during the absence of Mr. Forbes and Mr. Coates in London. The Postmaster-General, Hon. Adam Hamilton, has taken over the portfolio of Finance.