TRIALS OF MINISTER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21803, 18 May 1934, Page 11

TRIALS OF MINISTER

MR. COATES SEEKS SOLITUDE TIME WANTED FOR THOUGHT [BV TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION'] BLENHEIM, Thursday The Minister of Finance, the lit. Hon. J. G. Conies, accompanied bv Mrs. Coatos, Miss Barbara Coatcs, and a small staff, left Blenheim this morning for the Waiho Gorge. Responding to a welcome in Blenheim, the Minister said he left Wellington because lie was unable to act time to think. Interviewers, and different versions on. this subjefct and that kept coming along, and made it impossible to get a fe*v hours to oneself to think things out in connection with important legislation for the coming session. "We are going as far as Waiho for the purpose of having two or three days as quiet as possible, so that 1 can get my thoughts down 011 paper," .Mr. Coates said. He also stated that the future could l>e regarded with greater confidence than, say, two years ago. There was a feeling of confidence abroad, in spite of tho fact, that some sections of the community said that what the Minister of Finance was doing was all wrong. One had to remember that when the Government had tQ pass through a difficult period thev could not le-tvo it for half-a-dozen. to handle. It must be for one man to take his courage in his hands and fix his mind on an objective that he decided would supply the solution, and to march steadily to that objective. If Blondin were crossing the tight rope it would he no good for everyone to call out advice to lean this way and that wav. further forward or further hack. Tf he listened he would assuredly fall off. So it was with a Minister of Finance, concluded Mr. Coates. The party is proceeding south via Wcstport. WELCOME AT WESTPORT SEVERAL BEQUESTS MADE [bv TKLEGRAI'H I'ltlCSS ASSOCIATION 1 WESTPORT. Thursday En route to Waiho Gorge from Blenheim Mr. Coates stopped at West port. He was met by tlie Mayor and councillors and members of other local bodies and was given a hearty welcome. A few requests were made concerning matters affecting the welfare of the district and were noted by the Minister, who later left for Grey mouth.