MR. COATES'S REMINDER

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 35, 10 August 1939, Page 13

MR. COATES'S REMINDER

A reminder that even the Labour representatives in England were .behind the British Government in its defence measures was given by the Jti. Hon. J. G. Coates (National, Kaipara). Did other Government members agree with Mr. Williams that New Zealand had no sympathy at all with Mr. Chamberlain and those who were with him in the British Cabinet? he asked.

Mr. C. Carr (Government, Timaru) No love for them.

Mr. Coates: No friendly feeling? Well, I' am sure the country will be interested to know how we can have cohesion in the Empire when we have members on the Government side of the House saying that they have no sympathy with the British Government.

Government members: With their policy, their foreign policy.

Mr. Coates: I am sure the country and members of this side of the House are interested to hear that members sitting opposite are not in sympathy with the efforts of the British Government, first of all in trying to bring about world peace and understanding between nations —(Government mem"bers: "Oh!") —and next with its efforts for defence.

The acting: Leader of the House (Mr. Fraser): To prevent any misrepresentation, let me say that the Government is wholeheartedly in favour of the efforts for defence of the British Government.

Mr. H. S. S- Kyle (National, Riccarton): Deal with your members.

Mr. Coates said that it was up to every Minister and every Labour member to clarify the situation, because it was evident that all the Government members did not agree with Mr. Williams's statement.