IRRESISTIBLE WAVE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19444, 2 November 1925, Page 9

IRRESISTIBLE WAVE

BIG CAMPAIGN NEARING END MORE ENTHUSIASM FOR MR. COATES. (Special to “Chronicle.”) WELLINGTON, Nov. 1. After a wonderful run from Dannevirko down through the Wairarapa, wonderful because of tho remarkable enthusiasm shown for him, the Prime Minister, the Hon. J. G. Coates, arrived in Wellington in tho early hours of this morning and he left again to-night for Auckland, where there is to bo a monster rally in the . Town Hall. Probably Mr Coates will I speak somewhere in the Auckland district on Tuesday and ho will return to Wellington some time on polling day.

With tho campaign so near its completion, Mr Coates’ tour can be described without exaggeration as one of the most phenomenally successful things of its kind ever attempted. To one who has seen the whole of it, it seems that the Primo Minister has been carried along on an irresistible wave.

Air Coates’ visit to tho Pahiatua electorate was received in a manner which indicates that it is quite on the cards that the seat will change hands on Wednesday. It is recognised that the fight will be close, but the people there seem to fully realise that the real issue is tho Government versus Labour. A feature of Air Coates’ meeting at Pahiatua on Saturday was the presence of the big body of returned soldiers who attended at the hall and took up prominent positions in the building. Tho hall was not large enough for all the people to gain admission. Alany of those present came long distances and the streets of tl.c town were black with motor-cars. Tho meeting was one of tho most enthusiastic of the whole New Zealand tour. The motion of confidence, which was carried unanimously amidst cheering, was moved by a returned soldier who had lost an arm, and seconded by another soldier who had been similarly maimed. Tho mover said that after listening to the address ho was of opinion that there was no alternative to returning “tho Digger Primo Alinister” on November 4.

Mr Coates delivered short addresses at Hamua and at Newman, and at both places received unanimous votes of confidence. At Eketahuna the hall was filled to the doors, and the vote of confidence which was carried had not a single opponent in the hall. Air Coates was met by a number of people at Alauricevillo and there were little knots of settlers at points along the road to see him go through. At Afastcrton he was entertained at dinner by over 100 returned soldiers, and later he delivered a public address in the Opera House. Every inch of the seating room was occupied, practically all the standing room was taken up, and a large number were unable to find even standing room and had to go away disappointed. Tho meeting concluded with a practically unanimous vote of confidence in the Government, cheers, and “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”

A TREMENDOUS RECEPTION

MASTERTON’S WELCOME. [Per Press Association.] AfASTERTON, Oct. 31. The Hon. J. G. Coates continued his campaign at Afasterton on Saturday evening when he addressed a record gathering in tho Opera House. Alore than throe hundred were unable to gain admittance. The Prime Minister enunciated the Reform policy on simiI lar lines to his northern addresses and [ strongly appealed for tho opportunity to form a Government that would efficiently run the country. Nationalist criticisms were effectively handled. Air Coates was accorded a tremendous reception, both at tho commencement and at tho end of tho address, tho huge audience cheering continuously and according him musical honours. Air Coates was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence in himself as leader. Prior to the meeting tho Prime Afinister was entertained at dinner by the local returned soldiers. The gathering was strictly non-political. BIG MEETING AT EKETAHUNA CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT. fTer Press Association.] EKETAHUNA, Oct. 31. Tho Hon. J. G. Coates visited Afastcrton electorate to-day.

He spoke briefly at Hamua and Newman, receiving votes of thanks and confidence. At 3.30 he addressed a packed meeting at Eketahuna. Tho Alayor (Air W. Simpson) occupied the chair. Air Coates had a most enthusiastic reception. Air W.“ B. Afatheson raised a novel point of order, that the Prime Minister cut his address short on account of his strained voice, as ho was not justified in injuring himself by continuing. On the motion of Air A. H. Herbert, seconded by Air W. B. Matheson, a vote of thanks to the Prime Alinister and confidence in the Government was carried.

PAHIATUA RISES TO THE < < OCCASION ■■■■. A WONDERFUL WELCOME. i SCENES OF GREAT ENTHUSIASM. ' [Per Press Association.] PAHIATUA, Oct. 31. A wonderful welcome was accorded ithe Prime Alinister at Pahiatua. Some time before noon, at which hour he was announced to speak, the theatre < was filled to overflowing. Many people < travelled miles. The meeting was considered the biggest political gathering ' held here. Numbers wore unable to obtain admission. Air Coates received t a remarkable ovation, the huge aud-1

lienee rising and cheering for some moi meats. He was also accorded musical honours. The front seats were reserved [for returned soldiers, many of whom were present. The address was frequently punctuated by applause. Afayor Crewe presided and paid a great tribute to Air Coates. Owing to the state of his voice, Afr Coates had regretfully to decline a request for an address to the overflow. A hearty vote of thanks to Air Coates and confidence in his Government wai carried unanimously amidst considerable enthusiasm, tho proposer and seconder being “Diggers.” Ringing cheers were given for Air Coates, and also for Air AlcNicol, the Government candidate. There was another scene of grea( enthusiasm as Air Coates left fol Eketahuna.