MR. COATES WELCOMED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22197, 26 August 1935, Page 12

MR. COATES WELCOMED

BRIEF AUCKLAND VISIT ENTHUSIASTIC GREETINGS ADVICE TO " PULL TOGETHER " An enthusiastic welcome was accorded the Minister of Finance, Mr. Coates, when he arrived at the Auckland railway station by tho limited express on Saturday morning on his way to pay his first visit to his home at Matakohe after returning from London. When Mr. Coates, accompanied by Miss S. Coates, alighted from the train there was a large gathering of friends and members of tho public to greet him. Those present on the platform included the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. lOrnest Davis, who welcomed Mr. Coates on behalf of the citizens of Auckland, Sir George Wilson, Sir Apirana Ngata, the Hon Eliot It. Davis, M.L.C., Mr. W. P. Kndean, M.P., Mr. J. A. C. Allum, Mr. G. K. Hutchinson, Mr. J. Marsden Caughey, Mr. L. Alderton, Mr. J. S. Brigham, Mr. B. Gordon Edwards, Auckland organiser, and members of the National Political Federation, including representatives of the ladies' committees. Mr. R. Aickin, a member of the executive, welcomed Mr. Coates on behalf of the National Political Federation. He said they were proud of what Mr. Coates had done on the other side of tho world, and he knew they would bo able to be proud of what he would do in the future.

Mr. Coates said the welcome was a great surprise, nevertheless it was nice to know that some of the efforts of the Government, humble though they might be, were appreciated. He trusted the arrangements made in London would result in a better and clearer understanding between the parts of the Empire and in trade relations, which were closely allied to progress and prosperity. They were not altogether out of the wood, said Mr. Coates, but they were on the fringes. In reply to those who asked if the corner had been turned he would say it was a fairly long corner, but the turning of it was just a matter of straight thinking and determination.

Mr. Coates said he doubted whether there was ever a time such as the present when the people ought to ally themselves in their objectives. If they could pull together New Zealand would be the first country to emerge into a bright future without having damaged its assets. Three cheers . were given for Mr. Coates. after which he entered his motor-car and continued his journey north. To-night he will address a meeting at Dargaville, and he will address another meeting at Holensville to-mor-row. On Wednesday he will return to Auckland, and will be the speaker at a luncheon of the Auckland Creditsmen's Club. He will then return to Wellington for the opening of Parliament on Thursday: