TRIBUTE TO MR COATES

Northern Advocate, 26 October 1935, Page 8

TRIBUTE TO MR COATES

YOUNG BUSINESSMEN’S PRAISE PRESENTATION MADE. LEADERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED. IFrom Our Parliamentary Special. i WELLINGTON, This Day. Expressions of good will and appreelation of his public service, during the past four years, were conveyed to the Minister of Finance, Mr Coates, by a representative Wellington gathering, composed mainly of young business and professional men. who waited on him at his office at Parliament House this evening. The gathering which numbered about 70, presented 11 Minister with a gold cigarette case, engraved with his initials, as well as the following inscription: ‘The Kt. Hon. J. G. Coates, P.C., M.C., from some of the younger business men or Wellington for good leadership, bached by courage during a national crisis.” In asking Mr Coates to accept the gift, Mr Frank Campbell said the deputation represented different shades of political opinion, “We are not here to say whether we agree With all that has been done during the past four years, but we are unanimous in the opinion that Mr Coates has carried out the job in the way he and his colleagues thought best for New Zealand.” Mr J. D. McMillan, said that during an exacting period Mr Coates had acted with evident honesty of purpose, with boldness, yet with a sense of responsibility, and, above all, with courage when courage was most needed. There was a growing realisation throughout New Zealand that Mr Coates had earned a full right to the respect of the country. These remarks were endorsed by other speakers, “I do not know how to express my deep appreciation of your action in coming to me today with such cordial expressions of good will,” said Mr Coates. “Sometimes, of late, my colleagues and I, when we have been wrestling with some difficult problem, have thought of going out and searching for a supporter, and, if we could find one, putting him in the National Museum. It is true that the past four years have been troubled, and it is not to be wondered at that there have been anxious times for those of us responsible for the government of the country. “Often clouds have been black, and the outlook gloomy, hut the road has been made easier because of the courageous spirit of our people in adversity, and because the Government has .been able to work consistently on a carefully prepared plan of policy. The load has been enlightened by the encouragement of friends and the loyal colleagues. “I take your expressions of good will not only to myself, but also to my friend, the Prime Minister. Mr Forbes, to my colleagues, in the Cabinet, and members of the Government who have shared in the responsibility for decisions. On this occasion, too, it is not unfitting to thank my friends of the Opposition, who have performed the useful service of exercising the democratic right of criticism. Nor can I overlook the officers of the Government, who have loyally thought and worked in the interests of the people, and my own personal staff, who have toiled unceasingly.”