MR COATES AND LOCAL THREATS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 15 June 1925, Page 2

MR COATES AND LOCAL THREATS

A LIVELY DEPUTATION WELLINGTON, June 12. Protests from the Levin district against the town being deprived of the mail train stops were heard by Mr Coates, who had occasion to speak strongly against, any attempt to infiuetice him on political considerations. Mr Coates declared that the aim of the Department was to run the railways in a way that would give a good service to the people as a whole. A voice: It is enough to put your man out, if you are not very careful. The Prime Minister (emphatically) : You won’t find me guilty of political considerations, whether you bump my plan or whether you do not., for not giving something I do not think you are entitled to in the genera] interests of the public. If you don’t agree then bump him nut, and hump me too (applause). 1 nave very little patience for that sort of thing. Mr Coates appealed to the deputation u> look at the matter in a sensible manner. They had to improve their train services. Ptikekohe and Otalmim were places where, trains did not stop, and they were twice the size of Levin. It was no use beating about the. mulberry hush. The statistics showed that- within the last month or six weeks an average of one and a half passengers went eastward from J.evirt and one and a half west. Voices: Bv Inis.

li r Coates: No, by train. There had been a good deal of dissatisfaction in Taranaki and Hawke’s Hay. lie added,, over the express train services, which after all had been provided for the convenience of those districts. That was a consideration that must lie given attention to.