SHOULDER HIGH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19445, 3 November 1925, Page 7

SHOULDER HIGH

AN AUCKLAND TRIUMPH PRIME MINISTER'S GREAT RECEPTION SCENES OF ENTHUSIASM (Special to “Chronicle.”) AUCKLAND, Nov. 2. Scenes of remarkable enthusiasm were witnessed in. the Town Hall here to-night, when the Prime Minister addressed an audience which was limited in size only by the four walls of the building. The crowd began to gather early, and before six o’clock a long queue was trailing along the street waiting for the doors to open. Two hours before Mr Coates spoke the hall was filled in every portion.

Mr Coates had spoken at St. Helicr’s, Newmarket, Mangcre and Onehunga before he faced the great audience in the Town Hall, but he tackled the job with his customary zeal and freshness. He was waylaid by returned soldiers as he was about to enter the hall, and was carried shoulder high on the • stage amidst cheering that lasted a considerable time. Outside, a crowd of thousands waited, and arrangements were made for the speech to be broadcasted to them, and also to many people much further afield. Mr Coates’ Auckland meeting must go down as unbeaten by any in the whole campaign from the point of view of demonstrative enthusiasm. Not only was Mr Coates cheered and cheered again, but ho spoke to a sort of running fire of enthusiasm.

Among things Mr Coates dealt with was the canard that the Government intended to reduce wages by 7s 6d a week, and the audience accepted his denial with whole-hearted applause. Mr Coates pointed out that a similar denial had been made nearly three weeks ago, and that those who persisted in the accusation were not playing the game. (Further applause). He said it had been suggested, too, that the third “cut” would be put into operation, but the fact was that there was no legislative power to make the * ‘ cut. ’ ’ lie exploded other criticism and appealed to the electors of Auckland to send to Parliament men and women who would help to secure stable Government. A vote of confidence, moved by Sir James Gunson and seconded by Mr George Wilson, was carried almost unanimously, the few “noes” being

nearly completely drowned by the overwhelming volume of “ayes.” With cheering and singing, a really remarkable meeting ended. RETURNED SOLDIERS’ TRIBUTE GOOD WISHES FOR SUCCESS. [Per Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 2. Ata meeting of returned soldiers and their wives, which was addressed by Mr W. E. Leadley and Mr M. E. Lyons, the following resolution was carried:— “That this meeting of returned soldiers and their dependents desires to convey congratulations to Major J. G. Coates, M.C., on his attainment of •the Prime Ministership of the Dominion, and wishes him every success on Wednesday. ”

A VERY FULL DAY REMARKABLE ENTHUSIASM [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Nov. 2. Tho Prime Minister spent a very full day in Auckland to-day. Arriving by the Limited express at 9.26, he motored to a large construction camp on the railway deviation at Tiamaki and addressed a large open-air meeting of Public Works employees and people from the surrounding district. A few Labour supporters among tho camp men showed in small wlays how their sympathies lay, but Mr Coates received a good hearing. A vote of thanks tu him and confidence in the Reform candidate for Manukau, Mr John Massey, was carried without opposition, and Mr Coates and the Government candidates were heartily cheered. At noon the Prime Minister addressed employees at Newmarket railway workshops. His audience was rather critical, and a number of questions were put. He was accorded a vote of thanks, some of the men cheering Labour.

After lunch Mr Coates addressed a most enthusiastic meeting at Mangere East, Mr John Massey being present. Ho was entertained at dinner by the First Battalion of the Auckland Regiment, N.Z.E.F., and his health was drunk with the utmost enthusiasm.

A further meeting at Onehunga was attended by many Labour supporters, who went in for good-humoured interruption, which Mr Coates took in good part. He was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence by a. majority. An unprecedented demonstration marked proceedings in the Town Hall in tho evening. There was a crowded attendance of 3000, and 2000 more outside listened to broadcasted speeches. Tho Prime Minister arrived from a meeting at Onehunga at 9 o’clock, at th? close of speeches given by Auckland Reform riandidat.es. Mr Coates 1 was given a remarkable reception by the audience. He was carried into the hall shoulder high by comrades of war-time days amid a scene of great enthusiasm, hakas by his soldier friends, the singing of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” and the presentation of a bouquet to Mrs Coates.