PRIME MINISTER’S TOUR

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 10 November 1928, Page 9

PRIME MINISTER’S TOUR

LATE EDITION

SPEECH AT DANNEVIRKE “WHISPERING” CAMPAIGN PROMPTLY DEALT WITH. ißy Telegraph—Press Association.) DANNEVIRKE, Nov. 10. “Well you are a Scotsman; you waul me to wager against •iiiy*seii, ’ said. .\U Coates with a laugh last night to ai: interjector who, in the broaaest domic, ottered to lay some money on tne results of the election next Wednesday. “lot are quite right to back us, for the odds are all with us,” Mr Coates continued. “We have shown that we Jiavt carried on the ah ail's of the country on common-sense business lines. Tttere is nothing fancy about us, no boom and burst, no temporary prosperity and inevitable aftermath of depression. There is no class legislation, just a straightforward honest policy, clear for everybody to see, and, believe me, the people of New' Zealand have seen that, I know. I have been around the country, and my information is good,” Mr. Coates added in racing parlance. The receptions accorded to the Prime Minister at Woodville and. at Dannevirke left nothing to he' desired from his point of view. Particularly pleasing to him was the tribute paid by Woodville’s Mayor, Mr. H. P. Horne, a political opponent, who said that he would be failing in his duty if lie did not express the people's gratitude for the manner in which the Government had met the requirements of the town and district. Mr. Coates said that the tribute .showed how false and baseless was the suggestion that the Government favoured its political supporters only. His idea, and that of his colleagues was that they should work for the interests of the whole Dominion. A dramatic incident at Dannevirke was the manner, in which Mr. Coates gave the lie direct to a “whispering” campaign that has been in opei’ation for some time. Hitherto he has ignored it, leaving it to the good sense of the people of New Zealand who know him to assess it at its proper worth. Last night’s incident arose casually, and then only because a few people in the hack of the hall seemed disposed to doubt liis word. “Oh! I know the ‘whispering’, campaign that is going on,” he said. A voice: “Don’t take any notice of it.” The Prime Minister: “I don’t. I don’t suggest where it comes from, but I know where it was started. . Tt is an old form of attack, but I think I know the people of New Zealand well enough to realise that they appreciate why it is made. (Applause.) When some people can’t attack you politically, they* trv some underhand trick. No man could do' my job if he was not fit. and he conld not keep fit unless he is abstemious. I suppose I work harder than any man in this country. I never let up, and I. never spare myself while there is a; job to be done.” Three cheers given for the Prime Minister showed what the people of Dannevirke thought of the scandal campaign, and with another smile the Prime Minister proceeded with his speech. To-dnv Mr. Coates will he at Pahiatua and Eketahuna, and in the evening, prior to speaking at Masterton. will he entertained at a dinner by the returned soldiers. ENTHUSIASM AT PAHIATUA BB HEARTY GREETING TO PRIME MINISTER. (By Telegraph —Special to The Star.) PAHIATUA, Nov. 10. That Pahiatua is strong for the Government was revealed in the enthusiasm with which the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates and Mr. G. H. Smith, who is standing in opposition to the sitting United Party member, Mr. E. A. Ransom, were greeted to-day. ”Mr. Smith > our member,’ said the Mayor, and before he had had time to correct himself the audience took the incident into its own hands. “He will be next Wednesday,” several cried, and without a second elapsing out for him rang three 1 hearty cheers. Up went three more for Mr. Coates, and the crowd left no room for doubt as to its sincerity in the manner in which it sang “For he’s a jolly good fellow.” Mr. Coates, referring to public works expenditure, said that the Government had made public works a non-political programme. They were based solely on the needs of the Dominion as a whole.

Mr. Coates referred to the policy for improving the status and conditions of nurses in hospitals. With the hospital boards and nurses’ association there would bp consultations with a view to arranging uniform hours- and a superannuation scheme, etc. Mr. Coates was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence, with a. further demonstration of enthusiasm.