MR. COATES HONOURED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19469, 27 October 1926, Page 17

MR. COATES HONOURED.

GREETINGS FROM AMERICANS WELCOME AT SAN FRANCISCO. the Prime minister's speech. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 6. When the Union Steam Ship Company's Makura tied up in San Francisco Bay early in the morning of October 1. the Prime Minister of New Zealand and his party saw the first rainfall of the season, after several months of fine weather. As the visitors left for Los Angeles the same evening, and the downpour was persistent, (he metropolis of the Pacific Coast was viewed under disadvantages. A luncheon was tendered to Mr. Coates at noon by tho San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and the San Francisco Commercial Club. The welcome to the honoured guest was unusually cordial. The. president of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, Mr. H. Clay Miller, spoke for the large number of leading business men who crowded the luncheon tables. He referred to the natural interest in trade, but said he believed good relations with other peoples was all-important. Mr. Miller said the trade of the United States with New Zealand had increased fourfold during tho past decade. He praised colonials and heartily greeted the Prime Minister of New Zealand. Welcome from the Mayor. The Mayor, Mr. James Rolph, jnn., expressed the city's pleasure at having the opportunity of welcoming New Zealand's first citizen. Humorous references were made by the Mayor (o his adventures in the Dominion two and onehalf years ago. His opinion of New Zealanders was decidedly flattering, and ho expressed himself as unable to do more than part in return for all the hospitality shown him. Senator Samuel M. Short-ridge, of California, supplemented the previous greetings in behalf of the Federal Government. He said that President Collidgo would want to learn all he could from Mr. Coates about the Dominion in the South Seas whose name was so familiar to Americans. Mr. Coates' reply was worthy of tho occasion, for it was not too long, was varied in character, and had those lighter touches that Americans so much appreciate. When the Prime Minister told about leading a company of American soldiers into the front line in France, ho paid tribute to their bravery under fire. "We buy three times more from you than you buy from us," was one of the telling points of the speech, and the statement was made that if the balance was struck, it would give opportunity to improve the shipping facilities between tho two lands, especially with the volume of trade increasing year bv year. Mr. Coates' Three Points. Mr. Coates emphasised three points. Firstly, he referred to New Zealand's death rate, the lowest in the world; secondly, the work done by Sir Truby King that had resulted in the phenomenal saving of infant life; and thirdly, he stated that New Zealand's trade per head of population was tho highest in tho world. He asked for the fullest cooperation between the two countries, glowingly told about the Dominion's climate. scenery, tourists' attractions, deepsea fishing, health resorts, and pledged a hearty welcome for all Americans who visited the country. The Mayor showed Mr. Coates the sights of San Francisco during the afternoon from the best automobile owned by the city. Among the New Zealanders resident in California, who welcomed Mr. Coates were Messrs. H. Stephenson Smith. New Zealand agent; Reginald Back (Wellington), Bruce Llovd (Auckland). W. B. Maxwell I Wellington), and Will .T. French (Auckland).