THE NEW PREMIER.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 May 1925, Page 3

THE NEW PREMIER.

CONOR A'JT RATIONS RECEIVED. [ay TELEGRAPH —run PRESS ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, May 28. Hon. .1. G. Coates to-day received hundreds of congratulatory messages from all parts of New Zealand. One from the French Consul was couched in the following glowing terms:— "1 am happy to congratulate the recently chosen leader in this new victory coming while La Bassevillc and Mailly-.Maillet are still fresh in our minds.” 1 A typical soldi r’s message lame from a,i Expedii binary Force e-unrade viz.—“ Manage the country as yon did your Company, and you'll do me, Digger I’’ Heartiest congratulations came from many leading men. Mr Wilford (Leader of the Liberal Party ) in his eongral ulatory message, points out that this is the first time ii l the Dominion's history Hint laith the Premiership and the leadership of the Opoosit ion are held by New Zea-land-born men. Among the congratulation-- are messages from lion. Carnem-s. Sir W. Hall-Jones, Air Ngata. and other .Members of Parliament, both Government and Opposition. REFORM LEAGUE MEETING. WELLINGTON, May 28. At a meeting of the New Zeal-tad Political Reform League, described as the most enthusiastic ever bed, and

fully representative, 110 delegates signed their names. Mr Coates was congratulated and cheered to the echo by the delegates. He addressed the meeting. A resolution pledging the meeting to support Mr Coates as Leader. was carried amidst cheers. Another resolution congratulated Mr Jarvis (Secretary of the League) on the splendid work he had done oil liehalf of the Party. Whatever the Caucus had done was fully approved, hut the question oi a fusion was not disru.v.'d as a specific issue. A resolution of appreciation ol the splendid work *»t Mr Massey, regret at his death and sympathy with his widow, family and relatives, was passed.

HIS MILITARY CAREER. AUCKLAND. May 27

During the (treat War Major Coates won (.list met ion and high honours, but what will he remembered longest ol all in connexion with his war service will be the extraordinary hold he gained on the alfeclinn of his men. an attachment that will ever keep New Zealand’s new Reform leader in ehis--touch with the humblest ex-Digger. During the- darkest period ot the nation's struggle he shared the privations of hi.s men. endured suit- ring. and cheered them in their worst I bv his hardy good humour and his example of fortitude and unlading courage. He was one ”f those who understood and entered whole-heartedly into the true romrudeskip ot war. "He never asked a man to do what lie would not do liimsell. ’ one who knew him well in those days has said. “It ,]j,| p,ot matter how diliieult or how dangerous the job was. Gordon was there getting ii done in the good old way. We all reckoned In- had a charmed life, lie "-a. net only oxiranrdiiiarily brave at the time when bravery was eonimonplace. but lie was extraordinarily lucky as well, lie was always right up in front. with the bullets zipping all round him. but lie calm 1 through everything. !'■'* !l mud light up to his hips eoiildu i hold him hack from the German pill-boxes in the Gravenstafel attack." ‘Major Coates was awarded th ■ Military Cross for conspicuous bravery in the La. Bassevillc attack of July. 1917. He, displayed the utmost ability at a critical moment wle-n a determined hostile raid was made upon his company's sot-tor. goiliog his e .-a into safely and saving man;, casualties by his coolness and presence ol mind. He reinforced hi.s I runt line and pel - sunnily established two posts which had been driven ill with great skill and energy. He afterwards commanded his company in ;i raid upon the enemy. and his line leadership was largely responsible lor the success of the

entire operation. Niue months later, on March 2ntn.. 1918. Alajur Coates gained the bar to the .Military Cross in the desperate combat at Alaill.v Alailly. in which the First Auckland Battalion clashed first with tin- spear-head of the apparently overwhelming enemy advance. It was a. most momentous trial, and its seteritv was attested T,y the appalling casualties suffered by the Aucklanders who took part in it. The award to Major (’nates, who commanded the Third Auckland Company, was at the time deemed meagre recognition of his outstanding leadership and conspicuous gallantry. IK' brought his company into action in perfect order, after live days strenuous inarching, with little lest. By pushing forward exploiting platoons during the night, he enabled a more advanced line to he consolidated, securing 20 prisoners. .Wxt uny, \\iK*n several of his nun were killed or wounded, be showed complete mdilfercnce to danger under heavy hie. attending to the wounded and carrying men to saiety. The oHicial account of ihe.se acts ol devotion ami gallant leadership concludes with the following hnel but eloquent tribute: “His willingness to sncrilice himself for others was an inspiration to all his men.