TOUR OF TRIUMPH.

Gisborne Times, 31 October 1928, Page 4

TOUR OF TRIUMPH.

PREMIER AT NGARUAAYASIA. PROPOSED EXPANSION OF . HIGHWAYS SYSTEM. Alt ORIS APPLAUD WITH A HAKA. (Press Association.)

NGARUAAYAHIA, Oct. 30. A crowded house gave an enthusiastic reception to Air. Coates at the Town Hall to-night. Air. Coates emphasised that the past three years had been a difficult period. Blame had been laid on the Government, especially on _ himself. Entirely economic not political difficulties 'were inevitable when imports had exceeded exports My £5,000,000. The deflation of land values was proceeding and now the position was changed. There was a great and favorable trade balance, also the hank position was £11,000,000 better than a year ago, and production was higher'than ever. Almost all the exports had increased and there was more money in the country than ever before.

A voice: “What are- you doing with it? What about nine shillings a day?”

Mr. Coates said that prosperity was assured and that this money would work down into circulation. Ir the Government guaranteed standard pay all the unemployed and probably thousands of struggling farmers wculd be glad to take fifteen shillings per day. Every industry in the country would suffer and other workers on the Itorder line would drop their tools and there would be a race tor these jobs. Air. Seddon had refused to pay arbitration rates to relief workers. Under unemployment insurance, men could demand' full wages during idleness. Let them take every possible step to avoid imposing on the Government a constant burden of £300,000 to £-500,000 per annum for unemployment. Air. Coates said critics of the Government on the question of immigration misrepresented the position by quoting the total immigration v of people paying their own passages and nominated members of separated families, as' if these were ordinary assisted immigrants. The Government was urged to cut the costs where it could and it had cut the costs. A voice: “Cut down the Prime Alin-ister’-.s salary and Air. Sterling’s salary.” Speaking of Air. Sterling, Mr. Coates said: “These fellows don’t grow in the garden every dav.” He was sure Air Sterling ‘would give good value for the salary he received. He dealt with defence, railways, public debt, and the traffic on the lines of his Auckland speech, and claimed credit for the Government relieving the Burden on local rates bv passing the Highways Act and imposing tho petrol tux. These measures would bo a benefit to motorists and every settler. It was ultimately intended to B”’°, further relief by the expansion ot the highways system. Ho urged that children should be encouraged to take 'lip an agricultural education as a profession. It was superior to anv other profession. The Government had brought agricultural education to a higher position than eveT before m the Domimbn. > Questioned regarding free school books, Air. Coates asked would the questioner prefer these to free dental * treatment of school children The interjector: “Have both.” AH'. Coates: “By all means when we can afford it.” He said, he preferred to attend first to the children’s health. After dealing with land settlement . ho appealed for support for the Re- * form candidate, Air. Seavill, and a vote of thanks and confidence was carried with enthusiasm, tho Alaoris in the hall performing a haka and cheers being given for the Premier with rival cheers for Lalfor.