PRIME MINISTER’S CAMPAIGN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19440, 28 October 1925, Page 7

PRIME MINISTER’S CAMPAIGN

TEN SPEECHES IN ONE DAY TARANAKI ENTHUSIASTIC GREAT MEETING AT STRATFORD [Per Press Association.] STRATFORD, Oct. 27. The Prime Minister to-day had one of the hardest days of his campaign, but the enthusiasm which the Taranaki people have shown for him is compensation.

Leaving New Plymouth this morning on route for Opunake, he stayed a while at Punaho, where the school children had been drawn up on the roadside. On to Warcwa, where he delivered a speech to a big audience and was accorded a vote of confidence. There were stops at Pungarchu and at Rahotu and Opunake, heavily beflagged, was reached at midday. The Prime Minister was entertained at dinner and afterwards opened the new branch railway. From there he hurried to Manaia to find the hall absolutely packed with an enthusiastic audience which listened to a short speech and passed a un animous vote of confidence in him. The next stop was at Kaponga, ,wh6rt another full hall awaited him, and again confidence in him was expressed. At Eltham he was met by a great crowd which demanded a speech from the Post Office steps. Eltham had turned out in force and Mr Coates was preceded by the pipe band, who played him in as “The Cock o’ the North” and out with. “Will Ye No Come Back Agin?” .

Hawera was reached in the evening and although the address there was timed for seven o’clock tho Opera House was unable to hold all who washed to hear the Prime Minister. Many were turned away aftor every nook and corner had been occupied. Tho meeting concluded in a scene of enthusiasm, a unanimous vote of confidence being accompanied, by cheering and singing. When Mr Coates arrived at Stratford the hall was filled to overflowing. Thestreets were lined with cars, indicating that hundreds of people had come from afar. The doorways and passages were choked with people and it was only with the greatest difficulty that the Ministerial party was able to fight its way through to the stage. Probably the Stratford crowd was the most eager the Prime Minister has found in the whole course of his tour. It was evident there were supporters present of Mr Masters, whose home town it is, but Mr Coates scored a splendid triumph, commanding with ease a perfect hearing, holding the audience throughout and launching his points home crisply and effectively. He drew rounds of applause at frequent intervals.

The meeting concluded with a vote of confidence in the Government and cheers for Mr Coates and Mr Walter, the Government candidate for the Stratford seat.

MR. COATES AT HAWERA A GREAT RECEPTION. [Per Press Association.] HAWERA, Oct. 27. Mr. Coates addressed a crowded audience at Hawera early this evening, receiving an enthusiastic reception, a big gathering singing “He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” The Prime Minister’s speech, the tenth delivered during the day, followed lines previously given.

At the conclusion of his address, a vote of thanks to Mr. Coates and confidence in his administration and leadership was passed unanimously, tho audience according him an ovation.