WARM TRIBUTES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18955, 4 March 1936, Page 2

WARM TRIBUTES

MR. COATES HONOURED SERVICES APPRECIATED ELECTORS' PRESENTATION Eulogistic references to the valuable work for the henefit of New Zealand accomplished by the Rt. Hon. J. (.!. Coates during bis 25 years as a member of Parliament were made by several speakers in Dargaville on Monday, when more than 1000 people from as far south as Auckland and farther north than Whangarei gathered to show appreciation by presenting him with an illuminated address and a wallet containing a cheque for £550. On behalf of the women of the northern electorates, Mrs. Coates was presented with bouquets and a silver entree dish. "From all over the Northern peninsula people are gathered here to show honour and pay tribute to the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates and Mrs. Coates for the great services thev have given," said the Mayor of Dargaville, Mr. F. A. Jones, in extending a welcome to the visitors. "[ was one of those instrumental in thrusting Mr. Coates into public life 25 years ago, and during that period he has acquitted himself well, not only for the benefit of the North, but- for the Dominion as a whole, and I feel that I have nothing to blame myself for. (Applause.) Not only has lie proved himself an able representative of the people of the North, but as an outstanding Minister of the Crown, both in the councils of New Zealand and of the British Empire." THREE ELECTORATES COMBINE In making a presentation to Mr. Coates, Mr. A. E. Harding, first member of Parliament for Kaipara, said a great honour had been placed upon him. "'This is the first occasion within my knowledge that the people of three electorates have combined to do honour to a man for his services, and never was it more richly deserved than in the case of Mr. Crates. Although ho has served with distinction over such a long period,

he has not escaped from the arrows of the slanderer, but the people of these districts have confidence in his integrity and honesty of purpose, and know him for his great capacity for work and great sincerity. ' Mr. Harding said that while the Dominion was passing! through the depths of a depression, while revenue was falling and there was a "deficit of six and a-half million pounds, Mr. Coates applied himself to his job as Minister of Finance and now had handed over to bis successor a balanced Budget. Acknowledgment should also be made to Mrs. Coates for her sympathy and encouragement.

Mr. H. W. Crawford, representing supporters from the Marsdeu electorate. Mr. Clive Cameron, on behalf of Bay of Islands electors, and Mr. P. Gardiner, representing Helensvitle supporters, all paid tributes to the work of Mr. Coates. In acknowledging a gift made to her by Mrs. MeCarroll, of Whangarei, from the women of the northern electorates, Mrs. Cortes expressed thanks for the tributes paid to her husband as well as for the kind remarks made about her own efforts.

MR. COATES* REPLY

As Mr. Coates rose to reply lie was

greeted with a burst of cheering. "It would be impossible to set a man a more difficult task than acknowledging tri"ej appreciation which has been expressed to-day in recognition of my ciforts to serve the electors of the northern constituencies, and also, if the telegrams and letters I have received are to he believed, the country as well," said Mr. Coates. "Tangible evidence comes to few men, but the tributes which were paid to-day have repaid me a thousand, told for my efforts." ft was well for people to recognise their responsibility in selecting the men and women they elected to Parliament, Mr. Coates said'. Whatever the views

and whatever the disputes it was agreed u was the British Crown which lied together the Empire, and revolution in politics was better than revolution by force or by arms. It was for the younger people to equip themselves with the knowledge gathered by their predecessors.

FUTURE OF NORTH AUCKLAND

Referring to the progress of North Auckland, Mr. Coates said he had some satisfaction in knowing he had much to do with surmounting the difficulties to give access to the people in isolated parts of the Dominion. Kaipara, with 3800 farmers, was probably the most thickly populated of all farming electorates, and he felt sure be would live to see the day when citrus fruits for the whole Dominion, which would be equal to any imported, would be produced in the North. There were valuable minerals in the. North, the working of which was largely a matter of processing, but the latent value might be the means of employing! thousands of citizens in the future.

Mr. Coates said he sincerely hoped the present Government would leave the country in an even more promising condition than it was to-day. Regarding the Ottawa agreement, he said he would tell the producers in this country to maintain the principles laid down in that agreement and also in the subsequent agreement made in London. At the conclusion of his speech Mr. Coates was besieged by friends and supporters who crowded up to the platform, while another queue formed for the purpose of- signing an album containing an adores* in which provision had been made for signatures.