AMONG THE MEN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19438, 26 October 1925, Page 6

AMONG THE MEN

PRIME MINISTER WELL RECEIVED LOYAL SUPPORTERS WANTED WOBBLERS USELESS. (Special to 1 ‘ Chronicle. ’’) TE KUITI, Oct. 24. (, 1 think you cun say that when I have put my hand to the plough, 1 have not turned back, ” said the Prime Minister on Saturday, when addressing the men tit the big hydroelectric works. The observation drew from the men, who have had a good deal of first-hand experience of Mr. Coates in his capacity of Minister for Public Works, hearty applause, and “hear, hears/’ ' There is ample evidence that the men at Horahona and at Arapuni have great respect for, and considerable confidence in, Mr. Coates, who, as their Ministeral head, has done so much to inprqve the conditions of the men on construction works. “Yes,” continued the Prime Minister, “once a thing is started it is make or break, and I don’t think that so far I have broken Anything worth talking about. If you want to do things for the country, and do them cheaply, you have to have a good organisation and good men to do the work. It says a lot for the men doing the work that wo have brought down the cost of construction by 40 per cent. It has been said tlrtit is all right but we do not put up the wages. Well, the position is that about 90 per cent, of our men are not the class of men who would work for wages. Most of them are on contract, and I do not care how much they make. It is the price per yard to the country that counts with me. You men must remember that If I am to carry on the work of the country there is only one thing that will got me there, hnd that is Inval support. (Applause). A lot of wobblers will not help me.” (Applause).