LOSS OF FRIEND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25238, 29 May 1943, Page 4

LOSS OF FRIEND

MR HAMILTON’S EULOGY (P.A.) INVERCARGILL, May 28. The following personal tribute was paid to Mr Coates by Mr Adam Hamilton in a statement issued from Invercargill:— “In the sudden death of Mr Coates I feel I have lost an elder brother. It has been my privilege and pleasure to be very closely associated with him for over 20 years, both as a colleague and a personal friend. I have been With him in success and adversity, and could not wish for a more loyal or trusted colleague. Like most strong public men he has been criticised, but he had a singleness of purpose from which he never deviated when the interests of the country were at stake. It can truly be said that he was the greatest personality New Zealand has produced: His great worth and influence lay in his sterling character. His straightforwardness often brought him into conflict, but his sincerity and honesty, together with his wide experience and natural ability, won him a place in the confidence of men in all places and of all ranks. He loved his' home and family and the place of his birth. “ His death at this time is a tragedy. His place in the War Cabinet cannot be filled, as he brought to it remarkable knowledge experience, and influence. He died at his post without seeing victory. In a very real sense he fell as 1 a soldier on the field of battle. His was a rich and full life. While we mourn his loss we treasure his memory, which will be an inspiration to his friends and colleagues. To his wife and family, Mrs Hamilton and I tender our most sincere sympathy.” Paying a tribute in a joint statement, Mr H. S. S. Kyle, M.P., and Mr J. N. Massey, M.P.. said : “We have been his close personal friends for years, and we have always looked upon him as our leader. We have no hesitation

in saying that by his sudden and tragic death New Zealand has lost one of her greatest men.”