DEFENCE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 169, 20 July 1942, Page 2

DEFENCE

Congratulations to Mr. Coates. He has had war experience; he has held all the important positions in New Zealand at some time; he is still a very strong man with a very active mind; and he is, I believe, as important to the Dominion as any man in it. He has a personality; he is a mixer able to associate with all classes of the community; he is warmmded, and, although he has made mistakes in the past (and, really, who hasn't?) I know that he will profit by those mistakes and he won't make them again. If he were not in charge of all the armed forces, who could be Put in his place with any reasonable chance of success? I just want to say to those who are honestly doubtful he is the best man for the position in New Zealand, if anyone can improve our position he is the man. Each one of us should now drop all opposition to him, be a good forward, get in and push for all he is worth. To those who are opposed to everyone and everything, l say just keep quiet and help instead of hindering. I think that the position is so serious that we must drop our differences for the time being and pull together. If we don't, we are the ones that will pay. J.M.