"SHREWD COMMON SENSE."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18892, 6 January 1927, Page 7

"SHREWD COMMON SENSE."

MR COATES PRAISED.

EVE OF DEPARTURE,

(BT CABLE— ?SESS ASSOCIATION—CO?TBIC-HT.) (ACSTBALIAN AND X.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION..'

LONDON, January 4.

I The Rt. Hun. J. G. Coates was entertained at the Anzac Luncheon Club on the ovo of his'departure. Australia and Now Zealand, he said, were striving earnestly to build up their populations on sound lines', which required carel'nl Sitting at the Imperial Conference, he was able to appreciate the dittieulties. They had arrived at. a satisfactory conclusion, and ho was going homo determined to devote his utmost energy to developing the Empire. Mr Coates said that ho was leaving having learnt much. Ho believed that Great Britain had overcome her chief economic Milticulties, had a brighter future, and would be able to face any competition. Manufacturers had completely reorganised their works to meet modern requirements. New Zealand would willingly assist Great Britain in her industrial struggle. Mr Coates, in an interview, expressed gratitude for the fund public ami private- hospitality they had received wherever ho and his wife had gone. Ho had been most gratified by the cordial sentiment demonstrated cm every hand towards the course followed by the Imperial Conference, which would achieve important practical results. Ho paid tribute to the efforts British manufacturers had made to keep abreast with Dominion requirements. Great Britain's industrial futuro would be right if peace were ensured. His welcome would always remain a happy memory. Some people suggested, he added, that the accomplishments of the conference were political and not practical.He considered that the conference had clarified the essential principles for the Empire's future progress and unity.

"The Times," in a leader bidding farewell to Mr Coates, says that Lord Balfour's report on Imperial relations owes much to Mr Coates and Mr Bruce. The latter is rendering additional service by placing the report in its true perspective in Canada. The British public accepted the report largely on the strength of Mr Coates's and Mr Bruce's' signatures.

Another factor contributing to the success of the conference was the British public's impartiality to which the visiting Prime Ministers responded with a breadth of outlook even morG remarkable when the passionate politics of young countries are remembered.

Mr Coates, tho youngest Prime Minister, displayed a modesty, concealing an alert, well-balanced mind and shrewd common sense. His task was simpler because New Zealanders were not troubled overmuch with scruples as to tho Dominion's status.