Interjections for Mr Coates

Horowhenua Chronicle, 21 November 1931, Page 8

Interjections for Mr Coates

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE ENTHUSIASTICALLY CABBIED AUCKLAND, Lafct Night. A crowded but by no means wholly sympathetic audience packed the Town Hall to-night to hear Hon. J. G. Coates and thousands listened outside to loudspeakers. Cheers on Mr., Coates * entry were mingled with considerable hooting from the back of the hall, and an address of welcome on behalf of the Auckland branch of the Reform. League could not be heard for constant interruptions, but

Mr. Coates quickly commanded comparative quiet. * A vote of thanks and confidence th(|t. Messrs Forbes and Coates would soon, relieve the country of its difficulties was carried with enthusiasm. Mr. Coates described the present, crisis as the greatest the country had. ever had to face, and his .statement that it was allimportant for the people of New Zealand that New Zealand should pay her way was loudly ap-‘ plauded. Casual reference to the Labour Party roused an instant uproar. Touching on the problem of what, to do for the 13,000 unemployed unprovided for every week, t Mr. Coates said anything in the nature of the dole would undermine the moral fibre of thenation. If £500,000 was available it would be possible to place 20,000 in productive employment, but that sum could not be got without causing increased hardship by increased taxation.. Already there was a gratifying response to the schemes for getting the men on the land, which promised, greatly to relieve the situation in the near future. He made an appeal to employers tor ration work as far as possible. Mr, Holland had. promised that every wage-earner would hav? his wage cut restored, but neither Mf. Holland nor anybody else could do that. Assoon as the country righted itself and the crisis was past, then only could, they seriously promise to return to the • old standard. Mr. Coates reminded the hostile section of his hearers that the Socialist Party in Australia made a 22. per cent cut, and included old age and widows*' pensions. . Mr. Coates concluded with a strong - , appeal to face the position squarely and place the country first.