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Star (Christchurch), Issue 12735, 3 September 1919, Page 6

Major J. G. Coates, who has accepted Mr Massey’s invitation to join the Reform Ministry, has been member for Kaipara. since 1911. He was elected as an Independent member, and when Mr Massey moved his want of confidence motion at the special session of Parliament ;n February, 1912, Major Coates voted with the Liberal Party, which avoided defeat by the casting vote of the then Speaker. Shortly afterwards the Mackenzie Government was formed. Major Coates was dissatisfied with it, and voted for Mr Massey’s no confidence motion in July, 1912. . Ever since that division Major Coates has been a supporter of the Reform Party. Maj'or Coates has taken a keen interest in the volunteer and Territorial movements for many years past. Early in the war he volunteered fo£ service. He went into camp as an officer of the Mounted Rifles, with the rank of captain. Owinrr to there being at that time a surnlus of mounted men waiting to leave f?ew Zealand he surrendered his position in the mounted unit and went awav as an infantry officer. He was with the division in most of the hard fighting in France, and has been wounded in action. He has been awarded the Military Cross for distinguished service in the field, and also a bar to the Cross a* a second occasion. 1