CHEERS FOR COATES

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10734, 3 November 1928, Page 5

CHEERS FOR COATES

PREMIER AT TE AWAMUTU

WARD POLICY TORN TO SHREDS. ‘‘SQUANDEIUNG iVON’T LEAD

to Prosperity.”

(Special to the Times.) ■•; TE AWAMUTU, Nov. 2. “This country' can never be made prosperous by the borrowing and squandering of money,” the Prime Minister (Mr Coates) said at Te Awamutu to-night to a large audience, in which there was a noisy section of United Party supporters, as well as some adherents of Labor. It was reported that a number of the interrupters had come over from Te Kuiti especially to disturb the meeting. Although they were noisy, they failed to disturb the equanimity of the Prime Minister, who talked the interjectors down and converted 71fem when he could find a tangible remark to reply to. During the past two years, Mr Coates said, we have had. some of our opponents talking nothing else but of squandering, and now they come along and say that the only way they can get. into Parliament is to borrow seventy millions, on top of the money they will be compelled to obtain to complete the works now in hand.'

A statement- by the Prime Minister that" the United Party were only in the road in the contest between sound Government and the Socialism or the Labor Party produced an uproar from the United supporters, who were more strong vocally than they were numerous from the noise. The only distinguishable remark was “You will know all about it on the 14th.”

“You are right. I will know,” the Prime Minister retorted. ■ “We will be in power again. No fear of that,” —(Applause.) “That is just typical of some of you United fellows; you have not the slightest idea of what you are talking about,” Mr Coates shot home, when some expressions of approval greeted a reference to the United Party’s declaration that the railways under construction would he completed in three years, in order that settlers might be placed on the land. How many' settlers can bo placed on the Westport-lnangahua section? on the rvapier-Gisborne section? and on the line past Tahora? You don’t know; you have never been there, and you accept the glib utterance of other men who have not studied the position. —(Applause.) The Prime Minister went on to refer, to the recovery of the Dominion trade position and said there was now an accumulation of money in the country that would -soon have to trickle down through all sections of the people. . * - • ‘Then, why can’t Sir Joseph Ward get his seventy millions?” came a question?' , The Prime Minister: He could get it only because of the- very fine management of the affairs of this country by the present Government. —(Applause.) .My friend need not worry. Sir Joseph W r ard will not have the handling of the situation.— (Applause and dissent.) Native land questions occupied a little attention and the Prime Minister recalled the 'appointment of a Native Lands Consolidation Commission headed by Judge Mac Cormack, of the Native Land Co'urt. The Commission had done great work and the problems were being solved. “There are some people,” Mr Coates said “who say: ‘Take the Native land"and sell it. Never mind the Natives.’ But I. tell you straight that, so long as lam Minister-of Native Affairs, the Maoris wil] have equal protection with the pakeha.” (Applause.) ;' ' r : The Prime-Minister went on to refer to the legislation passed by the Government, the recital being recetve with approbation by tho majority and with dissent from the hecklers. Mr Coates had little time to outline the Government’s policy for the future, except to give an assurance that the progressive policy which had obtained' in the oast would be carried on in the future. The Prime Minister was given a vote of thanks and confidence, which was carried over the dissent of those who had interrupted. As lie left for Cambridge,,,ho wan given three cheers. ?•

ROYAL RECEPTION

AIR COATES AT CAMBRIDGE

HEALTH FIRST CONSIDERATION FOR CHILDREN.

RURAL BONDS SELLING

FREELY

(Special to the Times.) CAMBRIDGE, Nov. 2. ■ Cambridge went out of its way. to aivc the Prime Minister a royal reception. The front of : the Theatre was. ablaze with colored lights encircling the greeting ‘‘'Welcome,’*' and, to show that the word was noi an emptv one, the electors who crowded "the theatre inside and on the doorways burst into prolonged applause as Mr and Mrs Coates entered. The .entJuisiasm was again given exnression when the Mayor (Mr. T. F. Richards) extended a formal welcome and handed the meeting over to the-Prime Minister. Mr Coates’s task was an easy one for the only interjections were in the nature of pertinent questions which were asked in most pleasant tones. “The finest asset this country can have,"’ the Prime Minister said, “is healthy children, who will have the opportunity of becoming well educated and of fitting themselves to take r their place as first-class citizens. “Health was a first consideration. The Government had extended the school dental and medical services and it would not rest content until the free services were available to all the children-in the country, as well .as those in the cities. By the extension of bursaries, there were now greater opportunities for children to pass through the schools and the umverSU \Vhen dealing with the unemployment situation, the Prime Minister emphasised a danger with regard to young men who were out of work. 1 do' not think they should he made Intel navvies,” he said. “A week or two might not hurt them, but we do not want clear-eyed, strong healtliv chaps taking tip navvying as a, permanent job. They can do better for themselves. 1 have an'idea that we can place them with farmers for a year "or two. Then we can assist them to become farmers •* themsclof. rural finance. ;, the Prime Minister said rural bonds wore being sold freely and were providing the money retrained*, for advances. . Voices:" “What about dairy control;' you nut your foot in,it- there.” “If T were in the same position today ” Mr Coates .renlied, “and I saw -it was m v duty to place my views of the situation, as I -saw it. before the representatives of the farmers, I would pub both my* feet.in it.” — (Apnlause.) > v .A At the close of the speech, .v Mr Coates said thbi performances of ,the past three years in the fulfilment ,of. the 1925' policv and the policy for the future in stifled the Government’s .claim for a further tprm of office, y With considerable applause. !.> motion of thanks and confidence- and pledging sunnoTt for Mr 1). S. Reid, the Sitting*-Reform ftmernber. was carried Unanimously with cheers for 'Mr Coates. t .