The Wanganui Chronicle THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1925. THE PRIME MINISTER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19441, 29 October 1925, Page 6

The Wanganui Chronicle THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1925. THE PRIME MINISTER

Wanganui had the opportunity yesterday to fall into line with the rest of the Dominion in aeelaiming the Prime Minister, the Hon. J. G. Coates, and we are glad to say that the city seized its opportunity with both hands. There can be no question as to the enthusiasm aroused in the city by the appearance of the gentleman who has become known everywhere as “the man of the hour.” Though he came at half-past two in the afternoon, a crowd of fully two thousand citizens gathered to greet him and to hear him speak, and their welcome was warm and friendly. They cheered Mr. Coates still more loudly when he left, less than two hours later, than they did when he arrived; they had been impressed by those qualities which have been convincing others that Mr. Coates is the right man to guide the destinies of the Dominion.

The Prime Minister has seen many great gatherings since he began his pre-election tour, but, he must have been none the less gratified to learn that Wanganui had so many citizens who were ready, at some inconvenience, as he himself suggested, to do him honour. But he is not indebted to the people on that account: it is they who owe him thanks for the privilege of hearing from his own lips a fair and clear account of his policy as Prime Minister. That they appreciate that fact was shown by their demeanour.

Mr. Coates spoke to a very orderly meeting, and one that endorsed his statements with frequent applause. It is true that the local organ of Nationalism concluded a brief report of the meeting with the statement that “there was a considerable amount of heckling, and the speaker at times had difficulty in making headway,” but there is no truth in that statement. There were two interjeetors at the meeting—one on the floor of the Opera House, who left early, and one at the back of the stage. The former was very quickly disposed of. The latter lasted longer, but Mr. Coates was not at all perturbed by his somewhat incoherent remarks. The Prime Minister certainly had no difficulty in “making headway.” The one regrettable feature in connection with Mr. Coates’ visit is that the Nationalist organ should have printed the statement it did. Something may be forgiven the Nationalists on the ground that their fear of defeat at the polls has made them distraught. but it is deplorable that even under such stress they should adopt tactics which are quite foreign to the methods of New Zealand’s honourable journalism. Happily wo may hope that after next Wednesday the Nationalist cause will be seen to be utterly lost, and that then its supporters will become more reasonable. Mr. Coates’ success, both in Wanganui and elsewhere, justifies the expression of this hope. The people are realising more clearly every day that the issue is between Reform and Labour, and that the best thing for New Zealand is to give Mr. Coates a sound working majority of his pledged supporters.