The Stratford Evening Post With which is Incorporated “THE EGMONT SETTLER" (Established 1890.) WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1933 New Zealand Delegation

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 239, 10 May 1933, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post With which is Incorporated “THE EGMONT SETTLER" (Established 1890.) WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1933 New Zealand Delegation

NEW ZEALANDERS will approve of the departure for England cf Hon. R. Masters, who is to accompany Mr. Forbes to the World Conference to be held in London in June. Mr. Masters can be depended upon to put up a good case for this Dominion, and in addition will perform valuable service as assistant and adviser to the Prime Minister. While it is the Prime Minister’s function to attend this gathering, we think it a pity that Mr. Coates has not been included in the delegation, but apparently his claims were disregarded. However, there is some satisfaction tc be gained from the fact that he is to have charge of the affairs of the country durng his leader’s absence, and if he is allowed anything like a free hand he may accomplish something worth while. Although Mr. Coates has been a most criticised member of the Cabinet in the past, and we ourselves have joined in that criticism, the fact remains he has made good in many directions since the departure of Mr. W, Downie Stewart. In recent months he has shown himself to be a man of courage, who is prepared to fall foul of certain sections in his efforts to do what he considers right. 1 le has attempted to do something, and even if that something should prove to be wrong, it is vastly preferable to the inactivity which characterised the Government in the past. Criticism of Mr. Coates should not be too severe, because he has proved himself a trier, and during these troubled times, a man with sufficient courage to fearlessly try to bring some measure of relief to a sorely troubled community is deserving of oublic support. People would do well to read thoroughly Mr. Coates’ pamphlet on the “Butter Quota” problem, and it will be found that most of his contentions are sound and statesmanlike. While in England it is to be hoped that Mr. Masters will thoroughly investigate the methods of marketing our produce, and completely overhaul them. As we said previously, he is the man to carry out this job.