MR. COATES AND OTTAWA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21325, 28 October 1932, Page 15

MR. COATES AND OTTAWA

Sir, —The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates. who is to address a public meeting in Pukckohe on Friday night, on Ottawa and its results, is now spoken of as having become «i great man. Muy I be permitted to suggest that, to many of Mr. Coates' admirers, and especially those who know him best, Mr. Coates has always been a great man. Many of those who heard Mr. Coates speak for the first time on a public platform in Pukekohe still consider tho policy he enunciated and the ideals he professed to l>c striving for, if attained, would make this Dominion a better land to live in for all sections of the community. Be that as it may, there is no question that Mr. Coates has returned from Ottawa with a greatly enhanced reputation as a statesman, and those who had the best opportunity of observing and judging his work as head of the New Zealand delegation are unanimous in their opinion that no delegate at the conference carried out his duties with more dignity or ability than Mr. Coates. His message of faith in and loyalty to the Empire from the people in this Dominion when addressing the conference, as also his transparent sincerity and honesty of purpose and the courage displayed in stating the plight of the primary producers of New Zealand, and the measures he deemed'necessary to help these producers back to prosperity, won for him the regard and goodwill of the great statesmen who listened to him, and this goodwill' proved to be an asset of (he greatest value in the difficult and delicate negotiations that were to follow. One other matter that was noted with approval by those behind the scenes in Ottawa was the unfailing courtesy, tact and good humour displayed by Mr. Coates from first to last in dealing with the huge army of experts and advisers who accompanied tho British delegation in an official capacity to the conference. Thus it may be said in" all sincerity that Mr. Coates has proved himself to be a worthy leader of a great dolegation. Pukekohe Elector.