IN EDEN.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 14 April 1926, Page 9

IN EDEN.

A STREET MEETING

HEARS PRIAIE AIINISTER.

REPLY TO LABOUR CRITICS. (BY TKLEGKAPH rKJfiSS ASSOCIATION ..i AUCKLAND,- April 13. In the street, to a crowded audience .at Kingsland to-night, the Kt. iron. J. G. coates replied to a number o i allegations made by Air. H. it. rtollauu at Auckland recently and denneu his attitude to tne Eden election controversy. 'file meeting was noisy at times, but Reform supporters large i\ predominated and Air. Coates met with a hearty reception throughout. The jL'rimo Aiinister explained that he had entered the contest solely because Air. Holland had clone so, and lie intended to reply, to the Labour leader. He denied thi\t the Government was out to help the wealthy. It recognised its responsibility to all classes, even if it cost money to assist those m need of help.

It was untrue that the Government was contemplating drastic retrenchment in consequence, of the country’s financial position. All it expected to do was to exercise economy and husband 1 the country through the expected difficult period. Regarding the charge that he had broken a promise that no railway workshops employees would be dismissed under the reorganisation scheme, Air. Coates said he had endeavoured to reduce the staffs by transfers, but it had been necessary to dispense with the services of some short term casuals, a number of whom had declined transfer. The secretary of the Tradesmen’s Association, Air. Ingram, had stated that no blame was attachable to the Aiinister in the matter.

Dealing with the position in Eden, Air. Coates declared that nothing had happened since the general election to justify want of , confidence in th& Government. He had investigated complaints about the selection of the candidate and had interviewed one, candidate personally. After taking time to consider it, he found the selection quite in order and saw no reason to interfere. He had not asked anyone to withdraw, but he asked all true men and women to get behind l the candidate selected by the delegates. Miss Melville, he declared, if she had been selected, would have been accepted by the party without hesitation. Labour was very keen to see Miss Melville poll well, because it wanted to be the Official Opposition. He had every respect for Miss Melville, but the duty of the Government supporters was to support the official candidate. Air. Coates received a vote of thanks and confidence by acclamation, and with loud cheering. He leaves for Wellington, to-morrow night.