AMONG HIS PEOPLE.

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

AMONG HIS PEOPLE.

DINNER AT HELENSVILLE. GLOWING TRIBUTES PAID. EARLY SUPPORTERS RALLY. [BY TELEGRAPH.- —SPECIAL REPORTER.] HELENSVILLE, Thursday, Fully 80 leading men, not all holding the Prime Minister's political views, gathered at a complimentary dinner to Mr. Coates before the public meeting which he addressed here to-night. Mr. James Mackie, chairman of the. Helensville Town Board, presided, and many districts far and near were represented. The whole affair was most enthusiastic and Mr. Coates received an ovation when he entered the room-. lu proposing his health, the chairman mentioned that there were present men with Liberal and Labour sympathies, and the gathering was non-political. Mr. Coates must be regarded in three capacities, as member for the district. Minister for Public Works, and Prime Minister. As their member he had always been attentive to the needs of his electorate, but had never tried to obtain for it more than its due. As Minister they owed him gratitude for a notable record of achievement, and in his new and responsible position they wished him every success. Their wish was that, like. Mr. Massey, he would retain the confidence and esteem of the people to the end of his career. (Loud applause.) Mr. James McLeod, of Helensville, in supporting the toast, recalled that he. and another, the late Mr. John Wilson, had gone 14 years ago to Dargaville to persuade Mr. Coates to seek election to Parliament, and after earnest persuasion Mr. Coates consented arfd was returned at the second ballot. " I stated from the first," said Mr. McLeod, " that he would become Prime Minister, and I am glad to have lived long enough to see him in that proud position. I can say. on behalf of the district, that we wish lie may long continue in office. I hope in this election he will go back with a thumping majority." Long-Standing Friendships. Mr. Coates remarked that it was hard to reply to such very complimentary addresses. He was glad to know that those of his original backers who had passed away had kept their confidence in him to the end, and that those remaining were still behind him. " To be frank with you," he continued, " I did not know that when I first stood for Parliament 1 had any particular knowledge of politics, but I had a sort of general sense that the district thought much as I did." He was glad he had retained the friendship of the gentleman now dead who had been his first political opponent. Of one other opponent, Richard Hoe, who was present, he could say they were friends, although, perhaps, they did" not think along the same lines. Mr. Hoe: Quite right. Referring to his original political pledges, he said there was no harm in turning your coat when you had got it on inside out, but as a matter of fact that was hardly the true position. The whole political atmosphere changed completely. It was really a matter of stability. " I believe what I did met with the approval of the electors, who ratified it by no uncertain majority." Tribute Paid to Staff. After referring to the friendship between himself and his constituents, young and old, Mr. Coates had a little to say about his present position. " Probably I have as much to learn as anyone in New Zealand," he said. " One should not be over-confident, but should weigh matters carefully in the interests of the people oi the Dominion. A little caution may be a good thing so far as administrative matters are concerned." He was glad to think his policy for the develop-, ment of hydro-electricity would not be departed from no matter what party occupied the Treasury Benches. He paid a tribute to the energy and self-sacrifice of his Ministerial staff at all times in handling the quantity of detail matter which came before, him. He was also most grateful to the administrative officials of his departments for co-operating in and adapting themselves to new policies. If diligence, energy and application to duty could accomplish anything all he had of those qualities was at the disposal of the people of New Zealand. After his speech, Mr. Coates received a second ovation and was cheered once more as the gathering bioke up MR, COATES ANJ) NATIVES. POPULARITY AS MINISTER. EXPRESSIONS OF REGARD. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] KOKAPU, Thursday. There was another proof of the Maoris' warm regard for the Prime Minister at Paparoa. On Saturday at Dargaville representatives of the Ngati Whatua had given him native greeting as a member by birth of their tribe. This was a good sign, because the Ngati Whatua at recent elections has not been inclined to support the Government. At Paparoa a deputation of natives waited on Mr. Coates. By way of preface, they complimented him on his eleva- ! tion to the position of Prime Minister, | and expressed a hope that he would long i continue to be Minister for Native Affairs. Mr. Coates' reply was one which the deputation fully understood and appreciated "Yes, I will, but only on one condition, that you return Tau Henare." Later Mr. Coates recounted the incident to the audience at his meeting. He was glad, he said, that expressions of confidence from the natives showed lie had been able to accomplish something for them. The inquiry into their claims respecting native lands was likely to remove old crrievances, and the consolidation of native, Crown and European interests in the blocks on the East Coast and elsewhere was also having a good effect. At the close of his speech Kobe Tatana, a leading native, rose and appealed to the European element to return Air. Coates so that he might continue in office as Native Minister. " Yes, I agree," said Mr. Coates, laughingly, " but I want you to return Tau Henare. The trouble is the Ngati Whatua is always on the wrong side. I want you to get on the right side. Is that all right!'" "Yes, that's al 1 right," replied the native spokesman, laughing in response. INCREASE IN VOTERS. WELLINGTON CITY SEATS. 6483 ADDITIONAL ELECTORS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] "WELLINGTON, Thursday. Names on the Supplementary electoral rolls which closed last Thursday _ bring the total for the five electorates in the Wellington city area up to 61,851, as compared with 55.367 at the last, general election in 1922. This increase of 6483 electors in three years seems conclusive proof of the efficacy of the new law which makes enrolment compulsory. If the percentage of electors who go to the booths on polling day is maintained a record vote will be cast on November 4. The supplementary rolls contain the following additional numbers of registered voters in the electorates named Wellington North, 1545; Wellington South, 888; Wellington Central, 1146; Wellington East, 1241; Wellington Suburbs, 163. The supplementary figures for the Hutt electorate are- not yet available but the general roll contains 11,036 names against 9874 on the main roll and two supplementary rolls in 1922.