MR COATES IS ENTERTAINED BY SOUTHLANDERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18785, 14 June 1929, Page 7

MR COATES IS ENTERTAINED BY SOUTHLANDERS.

Per Press Association. . INVERCARGILL, June 13. At a luncheon tendered by his supporters to-day the Right Hon J. G. Coates, leader of the Opposition, said that when the Reform Party relinquished the reins of office, the credit of the country stood higher than ever before, showing that the policy followed had been sound in principle and had worked out in practice. In addition to producing healthy trading balances, the late Government had been instrumental in reducing the Consolidated accounts by £190,000, by which sum taxation had been reduced. The Reform Government had never waved the flag or endeavoured to take credit that was not due, nor had they hesitated to give an opponent full credit for any good work. He hoped the present Government would be as fair in its treatment. Mr Coates said it was not generally known in the South Island that all the, negotiations towards the establishment °f a regular shipping service between V ictoria and the South Island had been carried out by himself, and all that was left for the present Government to do was to take up the specifications and complete matters. Referring to railway construction, Mr Coates said he hoped that before the Government proceeded with any project a full statement on the economic position would be made available, in order that the costs might be weighed against the advantages. He touched on the Taupo railway and stressed that full investigations made before the work had been proceeded with had shown that the project had beer fully justified. The Taupo railway could not be compared with the South Island main trunk extension, as the former was purely a developmental line. In regard to the latter he had said that the line should be completed but careful investigation was necessary before the work could be put in hand. “ We have a hard job in front of us as an Opposition.” Mr Coates conclud ed, “ but it will be full of interest. We shall give the Government reasonable time and opportunity, but there shall be criticism if it is necessary, and we will expect the Government to answer any questions we may ask.”