NATIONAL UNITY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 43, 19 August 1941, Page 6

NATIONAL UNITY

THE WAR.EFFORT

"CANNOT AFFORD TO LOAF"

MR. COATES'S APPEAL

The imperative need of unity of purpose and effort in the present struggle against aggression was emphasised by the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, a member of the War Cabinet, at a reception tendered him last night by the National Club. "We cannot afford to loaf," he declared. "If the United States of America is giving us assistance, j there is so much more reason why we should be called upon to do more than we have done yet. It is up to each of us to see how much we can do. Never mind the other fellow. If sufficient people resolve to put in a greater effort, that example will take the others along with you." Mr. Coates, who was given an enthusiastic welcome, spoke discursively and interestingly on his recent trip to the United States and Canada in search of war equipment on behalf of the New Zealand Government. Much of his talk dealt with personal reminiscences and impressions of personalities whom he met, and a general description of the vast American war factories. Colonel C. H. Weston, K.C., presided, and with him were the Hon. Adam Hamilton, Mr. Coates's colleague in the War Cabinet, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. Holland), and Mr. W. S. Goosman, M.P. The accommodation was taxed by the number present. In extending a welcome to Mr. Coates, Colonel Weston said their guest had served his country in many capacities—as a soldier, as a Minister of the Crown, and as Prime Minister—but his mission to the United States was at least as important as any of the positions he had filled. They were proud that he was chosen by Ihe Government to undertake this very important task, and were glad of this opportunity to express their deep appreciation of the honour Mr. Coates had done the National Party in accomplishing his task so successfully. ASSOCIATION WITH U.S.A. "At a time like this, when closer association with the United States, is so important," added Colonel Weston, "it is desirable that our ambassador should be a man of Mr. Coates's calibre. Those of us who have this closer assocaition so much at heart are grateful for what he has done." Mr. Holland said that Mr. Coates had already given Parliamentary members of the party details of his trip. It was not merely a national task he undertook; it was an international task, because none of them could claim that they stood aloof from the terrible situation that faced them today. The democracies were standing shoulder to shoulder as never before. He welcomed this opportunity of saying to Mr. Coates a generous "thank you" for what he had been doing for New Zealand and the Empire. Mr. Hamilton paid a tribute to the work that Mr. Coates was doing as a member of the War Cabinet. The decisions of the War Cabinet were vital, he said, because so much depended on them, and it was very useful for them to have a man of Mr. Coates's military experience associated '/. with " them. "Some day the country will be able to appreciate his work in its right perspective," said Mr. Hamilton. "He has come back with'-a fund of knowledge and a lot of much-needed equipment. 1 know the work he has done, and the value it will be to New Zealand." Mrs. J. Aston, on behalf of the women members of the club, said they were proud that Mr. Coates had been selected to go to the United States and had done such good work on behalf of the war effort. In his reply, Mr. Coates returned thanks for the tributes paid to him, and urged the importance of everyone, irrespective of political creeds and beliefs, striving towards the common objective. It was for some of them to try and set an example. There were people, he thought, who were not altogether aware of the terrible forces that were pitted against us. "Luck might not always be with us," he said. "There is the important question of spirit, but we must direct that spirit, and our common effort, in 'one way only." LEASE-LEND POLICY. Mr. Coates spoke at length ■ about some of the notable figures he had met when in the United States and Canada, and paid a tribute to the striking evidences of help and co-operation he had received on every hand. In Mr. Harry Hopkins, for instance, New Zealand had a worthwhile friend. Mr. Coates dealt with the objects of the lease-lend policy, which was, he said, designed to make available all possible aid to those countries fighting the aggressor. In America it was recognised by responsible men that if Hitler controlled the continent of Europe, he would not be satisfied until he conquered the Western Hemisphere as well. "The help that the United States is giving us is of such magnitude that we cannot help but feel deeply grateful to those men in America who are playing so important a part in it," said Mr. Coates. He gave a warning to those who were inclined to take a too optimistic view of things. There were some who thought that Hitler would bog down in Russia, that it was an accomplished fact. It was not. The outlook today was just as serious as ever it was. Those who argued that Britain and the-United States were turning out tremendous quantities of ammunition and other war equipment—as they were—should not lose sight of the fact that Hitler had captured factories in over-run Europe that i could for the time being match tW* resources pitted against him. ! "I think there is far too much folttics talked these days," added lir. flbates. "that applies to all parttaa. there is a greater thing requMtei today than any one political faith, mA that is a common faith. We owe it to ourselves and our families. What will happen if fire breaks out in the East? I think it will make us realise the need for standing together, no matter what our politics are, or what creed we follow. What concerns me is how best we can weld opinion in this country to face the issue today. We have to show the mettle of which we are made, and we can only do it by helping one another."