THE PRIME MINISTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3818, 17 May 1927, Page 31

THE PRIME MINISTER.

PUBLIC QUESTIONS DISCUSSED.

UNEMPLOYMENT AND DAIRY CONTROL.

AUCKLAND, May 13. Tho Primo Minister, who left Auckland on the Whangarei express to-day, will spend tho week-end at his home at Matakohe. He is accompanied by Mrs Ooates, Mr F. D. Thomson (permanent head of the Prime Minister’s Department), Mr C. A. Jeffrey (chief secretary), Mr E. M. Casey (Divisional Superintendent of Railways), and Mrs Churches (a member of tho secretarial staff).

Discussing the proposal of the Minister of Education to alter the system of payment to students in teachers’ training colleges, Mr Coates said that the Hon. K. _ A. Wright was actuated by a desire to improve the status of the profession. There was also the question of finance to be . considered, and doubtless Mr Wright aimed at effecting a saving. “I do not think the proposal which has been given publicity is anything more than a suggestion,” said Mr Coates. “Mr Wright has discussed the matter with me and has perhaps been flying a few kites to see what criticism will be drawn. I certainly do not think that the Minister of Education would like to see anything in the way of class distinction in the teaching profession. Some change will be made, of course; but it will aim only at an improvement conformable with some degree of economy.” On the subject of dairy control a reporter, who was travelling with the Prime Minister, reminded him that Mr H. E. Holland (Leader of the Opposition) had made much of the assertion that Mr .Coates had a lot to explain concerning his doings in England. “I shall deal with dairy, control fully during my speech at Dargaville on Monday night,” replied Mr Coates. “Mr Holland may say I have a lot to explain, but I have a few questions for him to answer, too. It is all very well to make capital out of a mistake and to misrepresent the position; but one cannot get away from the facts. I do not wish to make it hard for Mr Grounds. That is not my intention. I have not discussed the matter with him at all. I think we will pull through all right, but there will be the utmost necessity for a spirit of selfhelp and readiness on the part of all to help the other fellow.” Discussing the unemployment relief, Mr Coates said: ‘‘lt is not a question of what the Government will do, but rather what it is already 'doing. It has already been made clear to the public bodies that the Government will give a

subsidy for all work approved by the Minister of Public Works and carried out to his satisfaction. The subsidy should be an incentive to local bodies to do all in their power to relieve hardship whenever it exists, A large number of men could be employed. The Public Works Department employs no fewer than 12,000 to 13,000. ’ , , , “I will not say it is going to be a hard winter,” declared Mr Coates. “Let _us say rather that the position looks difficult. Every confidence can be placed in the Government to do all that it can within reason to make the lot of the unemployed easier, but people must be prepared to help themselves and to help others.”