MR. COATES' TOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19148, 14 October 1925, Page 13

MR. COATES' TOUR.

SPEECHES IN PROVINCE. DARGAVILLF. ON SATURDAY. STRONG SUPPORT IN ELECTORATE [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] DA JIG AVILLE; Tuesday. The Prime Minister's election committee is preparing for the present campaign and at a large and enthusiastic meeting ot Dargaville supporters held last night the chairman of the election executive committee read the following telegram from Mr. Coates : "I understand a meeting of my supporters is being held tonight for the purpose of forming a committee at Dargaville. Will you kindly convey my heartiest, greetings to all friends assembled and sav how much 1 appreciate their active co-operatiun in looking after my interests in my unavoidable absence m other parts of the Dominion. 1 am sure they will all understand that in the responsible [>osition to which I have been called [ cannot devote as much time as I would like personally to my own district durinr the campaign and, therefore, I must depend on the goodwill and active lovaitv of mv friends and the various committees which are formed throughout the electorate. Please also say that in order to achieve the success which we have so much at heart, organisation and work are essential arid 1. feel safe in leaving my interests in the hands of such good friends. I hope to see you all on Saturday. Kind regards." The following resolution was unanimously passed at the meeting:—"That the supporters of the Hon. J. Gordon Coates present at the meeting express their entire confidence in their esteemed member as Prime Minister of the Dominion and member for Kaipara and plfedge themselves to use every effort, collectively and individually, to secure his return by an overwhelin in g ma jori t y." A copy of the above resolution was ordered to be sent, to the Prime Minister. The whole of those present formed themselves into a committee to further Mr. Coates' interest in Dargaville, Mr. F. J. Dargaville being appointed chairman and Air. F. Watters hon. secretary. Various sub-committees were also appointed to deal with the various phases of an election campaign. Air. Coates' movements during the next few days are as follow:—Speaks at Wellington on Thursday, October 15. Leaves Wellington cm Friday en route for Dargaville. where he will arrive via Huarau at about 4 p.m. on Saturday. Speaks at the Theatre Royal in the. evening. On Sunday afternoon unveils soldiers' memorial at Te Kopuru. On Monday, October 19, leaves for Whangarei and oh.aeaw.ai. speaking at Pukehuia en route at 1 p.m. and speaking at 8 p.m. on Monday at Kawakawa. On Tuesday, October 20. speaks at Ohaeawai at noon and Whangarei the same evening. Leaves Whangarei on Wednesday. Speaks at Paparoa after lunch and at Port Albert in the evening. On Thursday morning proceeds to Helensville, via Wellsford, speaking at Kaukapakapa after lunch and at Helensville in the evening. On Friday morning departs direct for Waika.to by train. THANKS TO ELECTORS. SPEECH BY MR. McLENNAN. GOVERNMENTS SOUND POLICY. The Government candidate for Franklin, Mr. E. D. McLennan, spoke in the public hall, Otahuhu. last evening, the Mayor, Mr. R. B. Todd, presiding. The hall was well filled. Mr. McLennan, who was received with applause, took the opportunity of thanking the electors of the district for the vote accorded him three months ago. He considered it a great, win for himself and a pledge of confidence in the- leader and party he represented. The candidate gave an outline of his work m Parliament during the past three months. He referred to the strenuous time he had had in his first term as a member. Listening to older counsels he had abstained from making speeches. Prudence had characterised his actions while in the House, and he believed he had made many friends on both sides. Mr. McLennan touched on the financial position of New Zealand, and also on the housing question. .In connection with housing, ho said that the State had financed nearly 34,000 homes for workers throughout- the Dominion. In the matter of advances to settlers the sum of £5,238.880 had been lent. In regard to securities, the Government now advanced on three-fourths of the value of land, and up to 95 per cent, in the case of workers' dwellings. The speaker mentioned the new railway deviation, the duplication of the line from Penrose to Papakura, which itwas hoped would be completed by nextEaster, and the building of the railway workshops, which were to cost about £250.000. This proved the department was making rapid strides to cope with the demand for dwellings in the suburbs. In the. near future. Otahuhu must La a large industrial centre. The candidate was given a very attentive hearing throughout and his remarks were frequently applauded. A number of questions were answered. A hearty vote of thanks and confidence in the candidate and the party was carried with acclamation, only one or tv\o dissentient voices being heard. Til K WAIKATO CONTEST. ADDRESS BY MR. D. S. RE! D. r llv TELEGRAPH. - OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TE A WAM UTIT, Tuesdny. The Government candidate lor Waikato. Mr. D. Stewart Reid. delivered his first address in one of the larger centres of the electorate at Te. Awamutu last evening, and received a very favourable hearing. He spoke along lines previously followed. In answer to questions he said he did not favour the Government guaranteeing the Dairy Control Board with progress payment's. lie would re-lv on the present commission's report upon the advantages or otherwise of a Slate bank. Telephone service, fees to back-block settlers, such as j lio-.e at Ngarorna, should be lowered if inquiry showed they could not maintain such a useful facility. The State. Insurance Department was spending too much money on buildings m towns and cities to the detriment of country districts. He. favoured the present system ol appointing Legislative Councillors, and the. present svstem of free compulsory and secular education. He was not in favour of the ward system of electing the Dairy Control Board. A unanimous, vote of thanks and confidence was passed. A PERSONAL ATTACK. PR 1M E MINISTER'S DIG NIT Y. [BY TET/EGHAI'H.—PRESS ASSOCIATION. 3 HASTINGB, Tuesday. Personal criticism of the Prime Minister was made by Mr. Gilbert McKay, Nationalist candidate for Hawke's Bay. Addressing electors at Hastings he said a specific advertisement was beneath the dignity of the Prime Minister, and that the "money bags of New Zealand paicj, for it." He added: "If I'm beaten this election it will be by the money bags of New Zealand.