MR COATES IN LONDON

Evening Star, Issue 22031, 17 May 1935, Page 9

MR COATES IN LONDON

WELCOMED AT PADDINGTON STATION MR AND MRS FORBES DINE AT NO. 10 DOWNING STREET Press Association —By Telegraph Copyright LONDON, May 16. (Received May 17, at 11 a.m.) A large crowd of New Zealanders, in addition to Sir E. J. Harding and Rear-admiral Bromley on behalf of the Dominions Office, Lord and Lady Bledi«loe. Sir James Parr, and Mr Jeffrey, on behalf of Mr Forbes, welcomed Mr Coat.es at Paddington. Mr Coates, interviewed, said he welcomed continuation of the New Zealand Coalition for the next election. Unemployment in New Zealand had shown a marked decrease, but it could not be said that the dominion had completely turned the corner. The Ottawa agreements had been of the greatest value, but some primary industries on which the country was chiefly dependent, especially dairy farming, faced difficulties owing to low prices. He was most anxious for a satisfactory solution of the London discussions regarding primary produce. He understood that meat talks on an Empire- basis would begin next week. New Zealand was most anxious for continued co-operation in the search for a solution which would be beneficial both to Britain and to the dominions, Mr and Mrs Forbes were the chief guests at a luncheon given by Mr Ramsay MacDonald at No. 10 Downing street. The Duke and Duchess of York dined with Mr and Mrs Forbes and other dominion representatives.