A BUSY DAY

Southland Times, Issue 19690, 24 October 1925, Page 7

A BUSY DAY

PRIME MINISTER’S MOVEMENTS “THE COATES WAVE” SCENES OF GREAT ENTHUSIASM. (Special to the Times), CAMBRIDGE, October 23. In the course of his New Zealand-wide campaign, the Prime Minister entered the Waikato to-day. Everywhere he went his reception was cordial and enthusiastic and there is abundant evidence that the “Coates wave” is rolling very strongly in this part of the country. He began the day at Frankton, where he opened a newly-built institute, and was given an excellent hearing and hearty welcome by the men. From there he moved on to Te Aroha and, although the meeting was held in the middle of a busy afternoon, the keenness to hear him was such that the big theatre was packed in every portion. The crowds drawn at Te Aroha by the late Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward at the time of the famous Tauranga by-election were considered at the time to be records for the town, but they were no bigger than that which greeted Mr Coates to-day. When it is remembered that the meetings of the two former Prime Minister’s were held at night, and that at that time the whole of the political interests of New Zealand was centred in the one electorate, it can be realised what a tribute Te Aroha paid Mr Coates in turning out in equal force this afternoon, at a time when the Tauranga electorate has no monopoly of the interest of the country. The meeting was with the Prime Minister all the way, cheering him when he entered, applauding him throughout his speech, and cheering him again before he left the building. At the Te Awamutu railway station Mr Coates was met by a party of 34 “diggers,” whose spokesman referred to the Prime Minister as a true and tried “digger” who had smelt the mustard gas at the front. “We wish you,” he added, “a long career as Prime Minister.” “I can assure you,” replied Mr Coates, “I smelt as little powder as I could. I appreciate the hearty manner in which you and the other fellows have come along here and at other places. I sincerely trust that the “diggers” are doing well, if not, you have to let me know, and we will do our best to help them. I hope, however, good fortune is your lot all the way through. I trust that as you kept the flag flying in the past you will have success in the future.” At the Te Awamutu township another great welcome met the Prime Minister. The meeting absolutely rose at him and cheered

and cheered again. On the platform here was Mr Stewart Reid, the Government candidate, who commended Mr Coates in a way all his own. “He can throw a wild beast,” said Mr Reid. “He can ride a buckjumper. He went to the war and proved himself there, and now he is leading this little Dominion. He is a plain blunt speaker, the kind of men New Zealand wants. We are going to win this seat. (Applause). Don’t make any mistake about that, and I assure him of my support when the people do me the honour of electing me.” “By the way, opinion in the electorate is that Mr Stewart will win the seat. At the last election Reform had a majority of about 1500 votes and Mr Lye, the Nationalist candidate on the occasion, was returned by a very small majority on a split vote. As there is no split in the Reform vote this time, Mr Stewart should win.”

Te Awamutu accorded Mr Coates a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence. Leaving the Te Awamutu meeting, Mr Coates hurried by motor to Cambridge, where a full house was patiently waiting for him, and where there was a great overflow to greet him outside the Town Hall. No greater enthusiasm has been experienced in the tour than that shown at Cambridge, which must go down as one of the' best of the many great meetings Mr Coates has addressed. He was heartily cheered on the conclusion of his address, and the vote of confidence tendered him was unanimous.

Mr Coates remarked to his hearers that if they expected him to put his programme into operation and do good for New Zealand, they must realise that there could be no half-hearted support in the House. Definite and local support was needed. It must be remembered also that a Government must be strong enough to govern and not be dependent on any section, and strong enough to govern for the whole community, not for any small portion of it.

Mr Coates said: “There is only one road to success, and that road leads through hard work. Provided everyone in the community does his part success lies right ahead. The Government' are out to so manage the country that they will have some wealth to distribute amongst the people of the country. If a farmer is to get the best out of the land, it is essential that he should get his money on the table mortgage system. A number of lending institutions were considering this to-day, although,. of course, they cannot go as far as the State can.” Mr Coates added that it was necessary to get these institutions lending on broad acres again.

“I am asking the electors of New Zealand to consider my appeal. I am asking you to consider the policy of the Government, which I hope to lead, the bedrock of which is equal opportunity to all. We are well on with our hydro-electric development, with the closing up of the gaps in the railways and other important works the Government has eliminated.

‘Things are done on merit alone. I defy those who say otherwise to come on to a political platform and prove their case. I have had a good deal of the expenditure through my own hands. No one can truthfully say that ony of it has been according to political favour. If you had a Government on the Treasury benches that would do that kind of thing, I would be the first to say turn them out. Approach all matters with toleration and patience. Intolerance is objectionable to me in every form. We are asking for an opportunity to put into operation certain developmental schemes which, we believe, are necessary and will be of immense benefit to New Zealand. You are asked to say on November 4 whether you think I am the man who can lead the party to see through the things which must be completed. I ask you to give me an opportunity to bring the manifesto into operation and, if you do so, it will not be for the want of hard work, application, energy and driving power. If it is not accomplished, there will not be a great deal of talk about it. However, I am unable to get anywhere without local support, without men around me who are going to see the job through.” (Applause).