ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19163, 31 October 1925, Page 15

ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

ME. COATES ON TOUR,

UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESS. NAPIER TO DANNEVIRKE. EAGER, CHEERING CROWDS. "COUNTRY'S NEEDS FIRST." [by TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER. J DANKEVIRKE. Friday. The unprecedented wave of enthusiasm that swept Napier on the occasion of the Prime Minister's appearance had not diminished this morning, when crowds turned out at the railway station to give him a rousing send-off on his homeward trip.

" good-bye," said an admirer in the crowd, when Mr. Coatcs had bade farewell, Just, au revoir."

Likewise at Hastings, so favourable had been the impression the night before that a crowd turned out to see and hear him. At Waipukurau he gave a ten-minutes' address from the Ministerial carriage and left his hearers cheering enthusiastically. A stop was made at Woodville for lunch, after which an eager crowd, some of whom had come a long way to hear the Prime Minister and as Mr. Covtes himself puts it "To see what sort of a chap I look like," gave him a great welcome.

" Although somo of us may differ from him in politics/' said the Mayor, Mr. H. B. Home, "we all recognise his great energy, the careful study he has made of his duties as Prime Minister, and his earnest endeavour to guide the country and carry out the policy of the late Mr. Massey." " Just before an election I have not- the slightest intention of promising anyone anything," said the Prime Minister, forcefully, when answering critics who had stated that he had not replied to certain requests. "The needs of the country alone come first and foremost, and rise above sectional interests. The Middle of the Road.

" The Nationalists object to the name * Reform,' " he. said, " but what is wrong with it ? As far- as I can see my National friends are in the middle of the road, and in my opinion are in the road altogether. (Laughter.) " No," continued Mr. Coates, " if you want to give me a trial, give me men who are prepared to support me wholeheartedly and help me to give effect to the planks in our manifesto." More than cnce during the strenuous campaign the Prime Minister's fondness for children has been demonstrated. An irritable child at his Woodville meeting to-day was showing itself as a pretty capable vocalist, and as the Prime Minister's voice was showing its first audible sign of huskiness he was running at times second in the contest.

" Leave the kiddie there," he said, noticing the mother's efforts. " I quite miss kiddies at some places. " Many a time," continued Mr. Coates, lowering his voice confidentially, " I have had to hop out of bed early in the morning to feed the kiddies." (Laughter snd applause.) And they're worth it! Believe me, if it came to a question of Prime Ministership or kiddies you could have the Prime Minister's job, but give me the kiddies." (Loud applause.) Dannevirka's Great Reception.

Dannevirke rose magnificently to the occasion of the Prime Minister's visit here to-night. The Town Hall was crowded. Applause lasting some time mingled with cries of "Good old digger," went up when Mr. Coates made his appearance on the piatform. . " We are all shareholders in the State," paid the Mayor, when the enthusiasm had .spent itself, "and I think we have every confidence in our able chairman of directors."

The Prime. Minister, who encountered tome difficulty- in speaking, dealt vigorously with the Government's policy and was frequently cheered. He devoted a good deal of time to the National Party's platform. " You know they pinched my thunder," said Mr. Coat.es. " They collared the name' from me, but they got it and its theirs."

A Voice: What name will they at the next election ? The Prime Minister: I don't know what name they will have, but I haven't time to think about their troubles. It is enough for rne to think about my own. (Laughter and applause.)

At the conclusion of a Vwo-hour address Mr. Coates was accorded a flattering demonstration of approval.

To-morrow will find the Prime Minister in the Wairarapa. He will speak at Mastrrtoii and then return to Wellington by motor-car, arriving in the small hours of Sunday morning. The Prime Minister will leave almost immediately to fire the final shot in the campaign at Auckland, and will be back in Wellington in time for the electiorfs on Wednesday.

MB. COATES' OPPONENT.

APPEAL TO THE ELECTORS. VOTES WANTED AS PROTEST. fEY TELEGEAPH.— OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] DARGAVILLF,, Friday. Mr. W. E. Barnard, Labour candidate opposing the Prime Minister in the Kaipara electorate, addressed bis first meeting at the headquarters of the electorate last night. The candidate spoke for over two hours, following fairly closely the manifesto issued bv the Labour Party. The candidate admitted he had no chance of unseating Mr. Coates but urged the electors to give him a vote as a protest against the Reform Government's methods. He predicted Labour would be on the Treasury Benches in 1928. A vote of thanks was passed.

THE EDEN CONTEST.

MR. GRIGG'S POSITION. RETIREMENT NOT LEGAL. The announcement that the National Candidate for Eden, Mr. P. W. Grigg, has withdrawn from the contest at the general Election does not mean that Mr. Grigg has legally retired. The Legislature Act, 1908, provides that no candidate can retire from a contest after the nominations have closed. Mr. Grigg's name will therefore appear on the Eden ballot papers; * although Mr. Grigg is not now Soliciting votes. The Act also provides that if a . candidate does not poll onefourth the number of votes gained by tiie winnjrig candidate he forfeits the amount tif his deposit. £lO, which goos to the Consolidated Fund.

THE BAY OF ISLANDS.

MR. BELL AT OHAEAWAI. £S3Y TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] OHAEAWAI, Friday. Mr. Allen Bell, Government candidate for the Bay of Islands, addressed a crowded meeting here last evening, people coming from all parts of the district. He had a splendid reception and completely touted the forces of the Country Party, who had assembled to oppose him. A vote of confidence in Mr. Bell and the Government was carried amid tremendous I i'plause, and the audience sa;»g, " For lie's a Jolly Good Fellow."