HON. J. G. COATES

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1608, 17 February 1925, Page 5

HON. J. G. COATES

AN UNEXPECTED COMMENDATION. Strenuous alike in war and in peace, 'the present Minister of Public Works and Railways does not spare himself in conscientious devotion to public duty. He is here, there a'nd everywhere, so to speak; and it is only right to acknowledge that in his active peregrinations he has not neglected the southern part of the Dominion. There may be ground for some little difference of opinion in regard to particuar points of policy and in regard also to allocation of funds; but Mr Coates has tried to be fair, and a Minister possessing such intelligent •energy is a distinct asset to the country. “Praise from Sir Herbert Stanley is praise indeed,” as the old saying goes; but it may be necessary to remind Mr Coates of the Scriptural warning to those of whom ail men speak well, for unequivocal approbation is being showered upon him. The other day, at Balclutha, Mr James Horn, M.P., who represents Wakatipu in the Liberal interests, highly praised the capacity of Mr Coates as Minister of Public Works, and even went so far as to express a hope that the benefit of his services would long be available. It would be unreasonable to infer from the latter remark that Mr Horn has lost hope and faith in a destined Liberal triumph which would relegate Mr Coates to the Opposition side of the House; but the tribute is none the less significant. Mr Horn, by the way, was representing and presumably voicing the opinions of Mr Edie, member for Clutha, who* as we are sorry to learn, is not in good health. The incident seems to suggest that there is nothing radicaly wrong with the political control of the Public Works Department.—Otago Daily Times.