The Feilding Star Oroua and Kiwitea Counties’ Gazette THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1925. PREMIER COATES

Feilding Star, Volume 3, Issue 574, 28 May 1925, Page 4

The Feilding Star Oroua and Kiwitea Counties’ Gazette THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1925. PREMIER COATES

Congratulations to Premier Coates! 'll was a foregone conclusion, of course, that yesterday’s caucus of the Reform Party in Parliament would do the obvious thing. Mr Coates was the outstanding candidate for the leadership, and it was all Lombard Street to the proverbial orange that he would get It easily. That ho is in every way well qualified for

■the position wo have not doubt whatever. He has proved himself, to be a man of great capacity for j initiative, executive work, and leadership not only in public life, but also in military action. 11 is war record is exceptional, having come through the hell of France (luring the attack of the Huns with a record that New Zealand is proud of. Quite a, large number of participants in the Croat War secured decorations, including even the coveted Military Cross, which ranks next to the V.C. But Major Coates, who wont to France in 1017- not only won the M.C., but a find her gallant action brought him the rare distinction of a bar to that Cross, lie was also given his majority for his success under fire. On his return from the war in 1019 ho was the recipient of further honours, Premier Massey calling him higher—to servo in the Cabinet ol® which the member for Kaipara is to-day the head. Another matter for congratulation is that. Premier Coates is New Zealand horn. Tie and Sir Francis Pell share the same record in that they are the only New Zealanders to have attained to the Premiership. Mr Coates was born at Mntakolie, in the far north, in 1878; so that lie comes into (lie Premiership at the early age of 17, one of the youngest, of statesmen to rule over our Parliament and country. The son of a farmer, lie was brought, up on the land himsc-lf, and was educated privately. He had a large experience on local bodies before reaching a scat in Parliament, in which he has been the member for Kaipara for H years. That gives him a splendid and valuable experience in the forms and rituals of the House, wherein belli as a private member and also as a Minister it was his habit to bo an observer rather than a militant debater. When he had anything to say that needed to T>r said to the country's represental.'vrs, Im said it—and sat down. The question has been asked: Has Mr Coates the stuff of which Prime Ministers arc made? Those who would really like a serious ai'Swer to this hit of curiosity have only to consider the careers of Messrs •Seddon and Massov when they ■were called on to rule over Parliament. Neither was deemed <in Iffied at the time of the ereal call to lead-—but who says now that I bey did not rise to the occasion ? As a matter of fact, Mr Coates comes to bis- task much better equipped and qualified for his great t ask in its beginning I ban either of bis famous predecessors. As the' Minister who has been carrying the t liroe greatest and most strenuous posts in the Cabinet. lie lias shown himself to be a, strong man, full of vim and vigour, a man of his word, and never lacking in either initiative or execution. Witness his latest successes in reforming the Railway' Department. Witness his remarkable achievements in the Public Works Department. Witness the progress of the Post and Telegraph and Telephone services during his regime. If “by their works ye shall know them,” then there, is Hie greatest assurance that Cordon Coates is to be yet another notable -access as the Prime Minister of New Zealand.