THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19156, 23 October 1925, Page 13

THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

MB. COATES HITS OUT. OPPOSiTION FACTIONS. INCOMPETENT TO GOVERN. LABOUR PARTY AND STRIKE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER. ] HELENSVILLE, Thursday. Tn the course of his election speeches at Waiotira and Paparoa the Prime Minister carried the war into the enemy's country by definitely alleging incompetence in the case of the various Opposition parties to develop the country and manage its affairs. "We want, a Government strong enough to ru'i the country and not. one that will be dictated to bv sections of the community," he declared at Waiotira. The Country Party could be left out of The count, he added, and so could the Liberal Party. He believed there were a few people left who still called themselves by that name. The contest was between the Government and Labour. The National Party denied this, but it was a fact. The Nationalists had copied the Government's policy to a large extent. Many of them have really the same politics as we," he remarked. "Of course they are not so progressive and have not got the same vision." Speaking of allegations that he stood f.ir wealth and vested interests. Mr. Coates said the only vested interest he represented was the community which had put him into Parliament, a community which included people of every class and kind. At Paparoa, in the, course of remarks on the " general political situation, Mr. Coates observed that about half the Country Party was ready to vote for Labour and the remainder hardly knew which way to vote. " Making a Mess of Country." "The Country Party!" exclaimed Mr. Coates scornfully. "I am a country man and farmer, and if I lose my present position I shall be on the land again. Perhaps that is the happiest thing that could happen to me. The Country Party cannot, be honest to the country or to their convictions because they are cutting votes and the only result can be to let Labour in. Some of them have not made a success of their own concerns , and now they are asking the people of \~ew Zealand to give them an opportunity to make a mess of its concerns also." As for the Nationalists, he cb'd not know where they were heading. They said the Government was borrowing too much, which was not true. They had no programme actually and could talk only in general terms and platitudes. Their manifesto spoke of the more vigorous prosecution of roads, railways, hydroelectric schemes, etc. " They will go on with every mortal thing under the sun." declared Mr. Coates. " but they never tell you where they will get the money. A Challenge to Labour. It is the same with the Labour Party. Reaily it is pitiable to hear their people talking about, what they are going to do." He had never heard the Opposition supporters discuss development problems in a broad way. It his own word were not backed up by deeds they would be worth nothing. The Government could not do everything, but it had a steady and well-thought-out programme of works which it woald complete. But to do so it would be necessary to obtain the money. A little later Mr. Coates offered a direct challenge to Labour. " I want to ask .Mr. Holland and the Labour Party where they stand with regard to the shipping strike," he said. "If they advise the men to stick out well you can form your opinion. If they advise them to go back it will be rather a death-bed repentance, but they cannot face both ways. They have got to say where they are." ' JOURNEY IN THE BAIN. STAY AT KAUKAPAKAPA. AN ADDRESS IN HELENSVILLE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] HELENSVILLE. Thursday. On this last day of his northern tour the Prime Minister undertook less travelling than he had accomplished in She previous five days. Mr. and Mrs. Coates and members of the party were the guests of settlers at Port Albert for the night. They left for Huarau after breakfast in heavy rain, a contrast with the beautifully fine weather which had marked the earlier part of the tour. A halt was made at Kaukapakapa, where the visitors were entertained at lunch. Afterwards Mr. Coates called at the school, where the class-rooms had been gaily decorated with spring flowers by the children. The Prime Minister addressed the children. In spite of the muddy roads, over 100 people met in the Public Hall at 2 p.m. to hear an address. Mr. Coates thanked the settlers for their warm welcome. He said he really needed no introduction to most of them, seeing that he had known the district ever since, as a small boy, he had driven cattle through it. When the expected vote of thanks and confidence came to be moved Mr. A. E. Diprose, who proposed it, remarked that everyone present knew Mr. Coates was a hard worker. "Many of us hoped to see our member become. Prime Minister," he remarked, "and it gives us great pleasure to see our hope realised." The mot,ion was seconded by Mr, F. Stewart, and carried with enthusiasm. From Kaukapakapa the Ministerial party motored to Helensville, whither Mrs." Coates had preceded them by train for an afternoon party arranged in her honour by a large number of ladies. Mr. < 'oates was entertained at a complimentary dinner and afterwards addressed a meeting in the theatre. The audience greeted him with wild cheer? and applauded him at frequent intervals throughout his speech. When he tame to the Labour Party's proposals the Prime Minister was interrupted by some supporters of that party, who called out, "Hear, hear, " Too right," and similar remarks everv time the speaker quoted from the Labour platform. They "were most.lv good-humoured and Mr. Coates replied in the same strain. The audience showed it was with him. When he referred t" the proposal to give assistance from the State funds to men on the basic wage with families a man remarked, " V ou are getting mote like a Socialist every day." Mr. Coates: I don't care what you call roe. whether a Socialist or anything else, to long as you vote for me. (Laughter.) A vote of thanks and confidence was moved by Mr. Richard Hoe, who had contested the Kaipara seat. Mr. Hoe remarked that Mr. Coates was going to have the chance of his life and that he would form a safe, sound, and progressive Gov-

eminent. The meeiing closed with load cheers for the. Prime Minister. Mr. Coutcs leaves to-morrow for the [Waikato.

LOYAL CONSTITUENTS. ;TH£ PEOPLE OF WAIMAUKU. [f!V TELEGRAM. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] WAIMAUKU, Thursday. A meeting of Mr. Coates' supporters at Waimauku appointed a strong committee. A telegram was despatched assuring Mr. Coates of Waimauku's loyal support, with a wish to relieve him of the effort of addressing a meeting there during his strenuous electioneering campaign.-