GREAT ENTHUSIASM

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 59, 7 September 1926, Page 12

GREAT ENTHUSIASM

PRIME MINISTER FAREWELLED

BIG GATHEEING AT DAEGAVILLB.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

DARGAVILLE, 6th Sept.

The Prime Minister (the Eight Hon. J. G. Coates), was tendered a civic farewell at Dargaville, the official headquarters of his electorate, this evening, prior to his departure for the Imperial Conference. He arrived at 5 o'clock and was immediately engaged in receiving deputations, touching on several maters of local and district importance. At 7.30 he officially opened the new Plunket and women's rest rooms at which he touched briefly on the work done by the society since its inception, paying special tribute to its founder, Sir Truby King. At the- conclusion of the address he also briefly touched on the Act recently passed in connection with child welfare, stating -that, no matter what its opponents called it, dole or otherwise, it was a start and it showed that the Government was honest in their endeavour to assist the low wage earners and the children of the Dominion. At 8 o'clock the largest theatre in Darvagille was packed to the doors with settlers from, all parts of the electorate, many coming from 50 miles to pay tribute to their Prime Minister and popular member. The farewell took the form of a conversazione, at which songs, recitations, and musical items were given. Opportunity was also taken to present the Eoyal Humane Society's medals to two local lads, Masters Fitzhenry and Bush, for life-sav-ing. The presentation was made by the Prime Minister. The Mayor of Dargaville (Mr. F. A. Jones) officially welcomed Mr. Coates on behalf of the citizens, and on their behalf wished him good-bye,, a pleasant trip, and a safe return to the Dominion. Mr. F. J. Dargaville, deputy-chair-man -of the Hobson County Council, spoke on behalf of the county, and paid a tribute to the popularity of the Prime Minister, who was bred and born in the district, and of whom the people were justly proud. Mr. Coates, on rising to respond, was given a rousing reception, and soon made himself at home amongst his own people. He went on to speak of the matters to come before the Imperial Conference on similar lines to the opinions which he expressed in a recent speech in the House of Eepresentatives dealing with Imperial Conference matters. He dwelt at some length on the question of giving preference to British goods as against those manufactured by people not of our race. He thought that there were a lot of points in connection with the goods required and used in the 5 Dominion which could be talked over with the Home manufacturers, especially motor-cars and implements of a like nature which would lead to a better understanding with the people who manufactured them in the Old Land and those who used them in the Dominions. We were bound to the. Mother Land by a bond of blood and of language. The Mother Land had stood behind us in the hour of stress, and it was our duty to help in every way possible.

MIGRATION POLICY.

Mr. Coates defended the migration policy of the Government, and fully explained how it came about that there seemed to be an overplus this year, and during the course of his statement said that we had promised to take 10,000 people per year, but had got behind to the extent of some 4000 during the last two years. The Government felt that it was their duty to keep faith with the people at the other end, and by the end of this year would have brought out about 13,500. If we only considered ourselves we would not get very far ahead. It was our duty to assist the Mother Land as far as lay in our power. As long as we could absorb all the healthy migrants it was our duty to take them, and as long as this could safely be done it was our duty to do so. It would be fatal to bring out more than we could absorb, and as long as that was guarded against we were on safe ground. With regard to shipping, Mr. Coates said we must have closer contact with the heart of the Empire, and shorten the distance between the Dominion and the Mother Land. He referred to the growth of trade between New Zealand and Australia and Britain, that with this country last year being greater than that with 'Russia before the war. If New Zealand and Australia were combined the trade would be greater than that with Europe at the same period. ■ , Mr. Coates concluded by making a strong appeal on behalf of the primary producers, upon whom this country depended so much for its prosperity. He explained that the meeting he was addressing was not the one at which he would be able to enlarge upon Imperial Conference affairs. In conclusion he said how much he appreciated the great reception he had been given by his own people and said how much a member of Parliament was helped by being able to keep in close touch /with his own constituents. He particularly wished to thank those electors who had arrived from so great a distance to give him a chance of saying good-byo to them. The meeting concluded about 10.30 p.m. amidst a_, scene of great enthusiasm. '