MISSION TO AMERICA

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 198, 19 May 1941, Page 8

MISSION TO AMERICA

Mr. Coates Appeals For National Unity

OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE Dominion Special Service. AUCKLAND, May 18. The member of the War Cabinet, Mr. Coates, who is to visit the United States of America, said in an interview that he did not expect to be away more than two months. , , - . ' Reference to his mission in its. relation to the question of national unity within the Dominion was made by Mr. Coates. “The Government has requested me to proceed to the United States on a misison which is vitally linked with the full and proper defence of New Zealand,” said Mr. Coates. “This request I regarded as a compliment to myself, inasmuch as it indicates that Ministers with whom I have not been 111 agreement on matters of domestic policies have nevertheless seen fit to forget these differences, petty as they are in time of war, and to regard tlie supreme question of the Dominion's war effort as one which all loyal New Zealanders must help in solving. “For some months now I have been privileged to serve on the M ar Cabinet, and I regard this invitation to visit Washington as a further opportunity of service which in the present circumstances I am eager to undertake to the best of my ability, more particularly a* it will bring me into touch with the representatives of that great, ami •friendly country, which is extending it* sympathy sq generously and in such practical fashion to all British people* in the present time of danger. Representative of People. "The request of the Government ami the War Cabinet that I should visit Washington enables me to do so nor merely as the Government’s representative, but also as the representative of the people of New Zealand. It is in that capacity that I shall exert every effort to make my mission a success. “In the United States, backed by the Government’s instructions and rel? • ing ou American friendship, there is much that I hope to be able to do. but nothing that I can do. nothing that the War Cabinet or the Government as a whole can do, will have am lasting effect unless it is backed uy the united will of the people. “With a full sense of responsibility. I say that in tlie organization of manpower for tlie fighting services. New Zealand’s effort is one of which she has every reason to feel proud. But modern war’does not stop with the lighting services and it is up to every one of us to strain every nerve and sinew to see that tlie fighting forces, both overseas and in our own country, receive that full measure of support which is tlie least we can offer them. The first essential toward this mid is the attainment of a real sense of national unity.

"My own position in national politics is. I think, generally understood. I have not departed 4’rom one of those political principles for which I have stood in a fairly length} public career. But throughout that career I have always endeavoured to act as n New Zealander for New Zealand. This us what we all must do. Opportunity to Serve. "The Government lets given me an opportunity to serve. There are men in other walks of life with specialized talents and ability far greater than is found in politics. There are the other jnen and women, thousands of them, on whose labours the whole future of the Dominion rests. All must be prepared to serve in what is essentially a common task. Differences must be swept aside, and old antipathies forgotten so tlnii earlier shortcomings may be overcome with the utmost speed. Wo must work together if we are to march together to victory.”