MR. COATES AT THAMES

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 109, 4 November 1925, Page 9

MR. COATES AT THAMES

ENTHUSIASTIC MEETINGS

REPRESENTATION OF FARMERS

The Prime Minister's tour of the country ended iv the Thames district yesterday. At all the places where

he addressed gatherings he was received with enthusiasm. Speaking at Thames in the evening, Mr. Coates' said that he had had a most wonderful tour through New Zealand. "I don't know why," he remarked, "but everywhere < the people had been nice and generous. I have had every opportunity of expressing my views of the country's affairs, and incidentally I have been met sometimes with criticism. One thing that struck me was the extraordinary interest which the people have taken in questions which only they can decide at the poll to-mor-row."

A reference to the Country Party was made by Mr. Coates at Waitakaruru. "For the life of mo," he said, "I can't see how the farmers could be better represented than they are by the present Government," he said. "We are on all.fours with the Country Party except as regards an agricultural bank, and for that reason they are trying. to come in and spoil things. A small country group in Parliament must be ineffective, and by putting up candidates they are threatening what wo all want, a sound and stable Government." The settlers gave hearty cheers for Mr. Coates and for Mr. T. W. Rhodes, Government candidate for Thames.

When Mr. Coates announced the results of the Maori elections at Thameu in the evening there were rounds of applause. "It looks like a three-to-one majority for a start," said Mr. Coates smilingly, a remark which evoked further applause.